401(k) Calculator (2026)
Project your 401(k) balance at retirement, including what the employer match adds over time.
The short answer
What will my 401(k) be worth?
Your projected 401(k) balance is your current balance compounded at your expected return plus the future value of every employee and employer contribution, capped by the 2026 deferral limit of $24,500 plus an $8,000 catch-up at 50 or older.
Best suited to employees with a workplace plan and a percentage-of-pay match. It does not model vesting schedules, loans, or plan fees.
Who qualifies
Employees contributing to a workplace 401(k), 403(b), or similar defined contribution plan.
How the process works
Enter salary, contribution rate, match formula, balance, and return. The projection recalculates instantly.
Typical timeline
Compounding runs monthly from your current age to your chosen retirement age.
Cost and fees
Free and ungated — results are shown immediately.
Credentials
Uses 2026 IRS deferral and catch-up limits with standard future-value math. Educational only.
What happens next
Compare the projection to your income goal, then adjust contribution rate or retirement age.
Last reviewed: 2026-08-31
Your plan details
Your projection
Estimated balance at age 65
$1,173,648
- Your annual contribution
- $6,800
- Employer match per year
- $2,550
- Total contributed over 27 years
- $252,450
- Projected growth
- $856,198
- Income at a 4% withdrawal
- $46,946/yr
How this is calculated
Figures used: 2026 tax year
Your annual deferral equals salary times your contribution percentage, capped at the 2026 employee limit of $24,500, plus the $8,000 catch-up if you are 50 or older. The employer match equals salary times the lesser of your contribution rate and the match ceiling, multiplied by the match rate.
Combined contributions are converted to a monthly amount and compounded as an ordinary annuity at the monthly equivalent of your expected annual return. Your existing balance compounds over the same period.
Not modeled: salary growth, contribution-limit increases in future years, vesting schedules, plan administration fees, loans or hardship withdrawals, taxes at distribution, and market volatility.
| Limit | 2026 amount | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Employee elective deferral | $24,500 | All participants |
| Age 50+ catch-up | $8,000 | Participants aged 50 and older |
| Employer match | Not counted against the deferral limit | Falls under the separate combined annual additions limit |
Results are estimates for educational purposes only and are not tax, legal, or investment advice. Confirm current-year figures at IRS.gov or with a licensed professional.
Frequently asked questions
How much will my 401(k) be worth at retirement?
Your balance depends on today's savings, your contribution rate, the employer match, years remaining, and your return. This calculator compounds all four monthly to project the balance at your chosen retirement age.
How much can I contribute to a 401(k) in 2026?
The 2026 employee deferral limit is $24,500, with an additional catch-up contribution of $8,000 for participants aged 50 and older. Employer contributions are on top of the employee deferral limit.
What is a typical employer 401(k) match?
A common formula is 50% of employee contributions up to 6% of pay, though dollar-for-dollar matches up to 3% to 5% are also widespread. Contributing at least enough to capture the full match is standard advice.
Is the employer match included in the contribution limit?
No. The employee deferral limit covers only your own contributions. Employer matching and profit sharing fall under a separate, much higher combined annual additions limit set each year by the IRS.
What happens if I withdraw from my 401(k) early?
Withdrawals before age 59½ are generally taxed as ordinary income plus a 10% early distribution penalty, unless an exception applies. Early withdrawals also permanently remove those dollars from future compounding.
Traditional or Roth 401(k) — which is better?
Traditional contributions reduce taxable income now and are taxed at withdrawal. Roth contributions are made after tax and grow tax free. Higher expected retirement tax rates favor Roth; higher current rates favor traditional.
Do 401(k) withdrawals affect my tax bill in retirement?
Yes. Traditional 401(k) distributions are ordinary income and can raise the share of Social Security that is taxable. Planning withdrawal order across traditional, Roth, and taxable accounts can reduce lifetime tax.