401(k) Calculator
A 401(k) is one of the most powerful retirement tools because of the employer match — effectively free money on top of your own contributions. This 401(k) calculator projects your balance at retirement from your current balance, salary, contribution rate, employer-match terms, and expected return. The match is modelled the standard way: the employer matches a percentage of what you contribute, but only up to a capped share of your salary. Contributing at least enough to capture the full match is one of the highest-return moves in personal finance.
Calculate
Default result: $711,316.90
401(k) Calculator · Materials
calculators.dev
401(k) balance at retirement
20000 × 60000 × 6 × 50 × 6 × 7 × 30
Shopping list
- Your monthly contribution
- $300.00
- Employer monthly match
- $150.00
- Total contributed (you + employer)
- $162,000.00
Est. total
$711,316.90
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This calculator provides estimates for general informational purposes only and is not financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. Results are projections based on the figures you enter and the stated assumptions, and actual outcomes will differ. Consult a qualified financial professional before making borrowing, saving, or investment decisions.
Reviewed by the calculators.dev team · Last updated 2026-06-24
Formula reviewed against U.S. SEC Investor.gov compound-interest calculator — growth reference
How to calculate
Enter your current 401(k) balance, salary, and the percentage of salary you contribute. Then enter the employer's match rate and the salary cap it applies up to, your expected annual return, and years to retirement. The calculator works out your monthly contribution and the employer's matched amount, then grows the combined contributions plus your starting balance to retirement. For a $60,000 salary at 6% with a 50% match up to 6%, you add $300 a month and the employer adds $150, reaching about $711,317 over 30 years at 7%.
Employee monthly = min((salary ÷ 12) × employee%, IRS annual deferral limit ÷ 12), so the modeled contribution never exceeds the legal cap ($24,500 for 2026, under age 50). Employer monthly = employer-match% × min(employee monthly, (salary ÷ 12) × match-limit%). Future value = FV of the current balance plus the combined monthly contributions at the monthly return (annual return ÷ 12) over years × 12 months, with contributions at the end of each month. The match cap means contributing above the match limit does not increase the employer's contribution.
Example calculation
On a $60,000 salary, contributing 6% means $300 a month. With a 50% employer match up to 6% of pay, the employer adds $150 a month, for $450 total. Starting from $20,000 and growing at 7% a year for 30 years, the 401(k) reaches about $711,317 — and the employer's match alone accounts for a meaningful share of the contributions.
- futureValue
- $711,316.90
- employeeMonthly
- $300.00
- employerMonthly
- $150.00
- totalContributed
- $162,000.00
Assumptions
- The employer matches a percentage of your contribution only up to the match-limit share of salary; contributing beyond that does not add more match.
- Your annual contribution is capped at the IRS 401(k) elective-deferral limit ($24,500 for 2026, under age 50); the calculator will not model a deferral larger than the law allows. Age-50+ catch-up contributions are not modelled.
- Salary, contribution rate, and return are constant for the whole horizon; raises and market swings are not modelled.
- Contributions are made monthly at the end of each month, and the figures are gross of taxes and fees.
Common mistakes
- Contributing less than the match limit and leaving free money on the table — always aim to capture the full employer match.
- Confusing the match rate with the match limit. A '50% match up to 6%' means 50 cents per dollar, but only on the first 6% of salary you contribute.
- Assuming a high return is guaranteed. Markets vary; use a realistic long-term estimate.
Frequently asked questions
How does an employer match work?
The employer contributes a percentage of what you put in, up to a cap expressed as a share of your salary. A common formula is 50% of your contributions up to 6% of pay, which adds 3% of salary if you contribute at least 6%.
Why does the match stop increasing?
Because it is capped at the match-limit percentage of your salary. Once you contribute up to that limit, contributing more increases your own savings but not the employer's match.
How much should I contribute to my 401(k)?
At minimum, enough to get the full employer match — that is an immediate return on your money. Beyond that, contribute as much as your budget and the annual IRS limits allow.
Are these numbers guaranteed?
No. The projection assumes a constant return and salary. Real returns vary year to year, and the figures are before taxes and fees, so treat the result as a planning estimate.