401(k) Calculator
Example: a 30-year-old earns $75,000 and saves 10%. The employer matches 50% of the first 6%. With 3% raises and a 7% return, that 401(k) reaches about $2,567,695 at 67. In today's dollars that is about $1,021,023, using the 1995–2025 average inflation of 2.5%. In 2026 you can defer up to $24,500. At 50+ it is $32,500. At ages 60–63 it is $35,750.
| Age | Salary | You | Employer | Year-end balance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 | $75,000 | $7,500 | $2,250 | $31,459 |
| 31 | $77,250 | $7,725 | $2,318 | $44,022 |
| 32 | $79,568 | $7,957 | $2,387 | $57,775 |
| 33 | $81,955 | $8,195 | $2,459 | $72,811 |
| 34 | $84,413 | $8,441 | $2,532 | $89,229 |
| 35 | $86,946 | $8,695 | $2,608 | $107,136 |
| 36 | $89,554 | $8,955 | $2,687 | $126,647 |
| 37 | $92,241 | $9,224 | $2,767 | $147,883 |
| 38 | $95,008 | $9,501 | $2,850 | $170,978 |
| 39 | $97,858 | $9,786 | $2,936 | $196,071 |
| 40 | $100,794 | $10,079 | $3,024 | $223,314 |
| 41 | $103,818 | $10,382 | $3,115 | $252,870 |
| 42 | $106,932 | $10,693 | $3,208 | $284,913 |
| 43 | $110,140 | $11,014 | $3,304 | $319,629 |
| 44 | $113,444 | $11,344 | $3,403 | $357,218 |
| 45 | $116,848 | $11,685 | $3,505 | $397,895 |
| 46 | $120,353 | $12,035 | $3,611 | $441,889 |
| 47 | $123,964 | $12,396 | $3,719 | $489,447 |
| 48 | $127,682 | $12,768 | $3,830 | $540,833 |
| 49 | $131,513 | $13,151 | $3,945 | $596,330 |
| 50 | $135,458 | $13,546 | $4,064 | $656,241 |
| 51 | $139,522 | $13,952 | $4,186 | $720,891 |
| 52 | $143,708 | $14,371 | $4,311 | $790,627 |
| 53 | $148,019 | $14,802 | $4,441 | $865,823 |
| 54 | $152,460 | $15,246 | $4,574 | $946,879 |
| 55 | $157,033 | $15,703 | $4,711 | $1,034,222 |
| 56 | $161,744 | $16,174 | $4,852 | $1,128,310 |
| 57 | $166,597 | $16,660 | $4,998 | $1,229,636 |
| 58 | $171,595 | $17,159 | $5,148 | $1,338,725 |
| 59 | $176,742 | $17,674 | $5,302 | $1,456,140 |
| 60 | $182,045 | $18,204 | $5,461 | $1,582,486 |
| 61 | $187,506 | $18,751 | $5,625 | $1,718,408 |
| 62 | $193,131 | $19,313 | $5,794 | $1,864,599 |
| 63 | $198,925 | $19,893 | $5,968 | $2,021,801 |
| 64 | $204,893 | $20,489 | $6,147 | $2,190,807 |
| 65 | $211,040 | $21,104 | $6,331 | $2,372,468 |
| 66 | $217,371 | $21,737 | $6,521 | $2,567,695 |
2026 401(k) contribution limits
| Limit | 2026 |
|---|---|
| Employee elective deferral (under 50) | $24,500 |
| Catch-up, age 50 and older | +$8,000 |
| "Super catch-up", ages 60–63 (replaces the $8,000) | +$11,250 |
| Total employee + employer (excl. catch-up) | $72,000 |
| Maximum compensation counted for the match | $360,000 |
Source: IRS, "401(k) limit increases to $24,500 for 2026" and IRS Notice 2025-67. The age 60–63 catch-up comes from the SECURE 2.0 Act. It applies if you turn 60, 61, 62 or 63 during the year. There is one more rule for 2026. Say your 2025 Social Security (FICA) wages from the employer were over $150,000. Then your catch-up contributions must go in as Roth (after-tax) contributions.
How the calculator works
- Your contribution each year = salary × your %. The IRS limit for your age caps it. Year 1: $75,000 × 10% = $7,500.
- Employer match = salary × (the smaller of your % and the match cap) × match rate. Year 1: $75,000 × 6% × 50% = $2,250.
- Contributions go in monthly. They grow at the annual return (7% → 0.565% a month).
- Salary rises by the raise % each year. So contributions rise too, until they hit the limit.
- Repeat until retirement: 37 years → $2,567,695. Of that, $496,307 is yours, $148,892 is employer match and $1,902,496 is growth.
Why capturing the full match matters
| You contribute | Employer adds (year 1) | Balance at 67 |
|---|---|---|
| 3% of pay | $1,125 | $1,048,665 |
| 6% of pay | $2,250 | $1,852,857 |
| 10% of pay | $2,250 | $2,567,695 |
Going from 3% to 6% doubles the match in this example. That's not a small detail. It is an instant 50% return on those dollars before any market growth. Put another way, the match is money you only get if you put in enough to earn it. Future limits stay at 2026 levels here. The IRS raises them with inflation, so the cap is conservative.
Frequently asked questions
How much can I put in my 401(k) in 2026?
Up to $24,500 in employee deferrals. At 50 or older you can add $8,000, for $32,500 total. At 60 to 63 the catch-up is $11,250 instead, for $35,750 total.
Does the employer match count toward the $24,500 limit?
No. The $24,500 limit covers only your own deferrals. Employer contributions count toward a separate $72,000 limit for all contributions. Catch-up contributions sit on top of that.
What is a typical employer match?
Two formulas are common. One is 50% of what you contribute, up to 6% of pay. The other is 100% up to 3-4% of pay. Your plan's Summary Plan Description has your exact formula and vesting schedule.
Who has to make Roth catch-up contributions?
Starting in 2026, SECURE 2.0 sets a wage test. If your prior-year FICA wages from that employer were over $150,000, your catch-up contributions must be Roth.
Is the result before or after taxes?
Before taxes. Traditional 401(k) withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income in retirement. Qualified Roth 401(k) withdrawals are tax-free.
Not investment advice. These results are estimates. They use the numbers you enter and a constant rate of return. Real returns change every year. They can be negative. They are not guaranteed. Taxes, fees and inflation will change your real results. Talk with a licensed financial professional before you decide.
Related calculators
Updated: October 2, 2026 · Sources and methodology