401(k) Calculator 2026
How much will your 401(k) be worth when you retire? This free 401(k) calculator projects your retirement balance year by year, combining your current savings, future contributions, employer matching, salary growth and compound investment returns. Enter your age, current balance, salary and contribution rate — the defaults (10% contribution, 50% employer match up to 6% of salary, 7% annual return) reflect common plan terms, but every field is adjustable and results update instantly.
The results show your estimated balance at retirement in large type, split into your own contributions, free employer match money, and investment growth — plus a full year-by-year projection table. Employee contributions are capped at the official 2026 elective deferral limit of $24,500 (IRS Notice 2025-67); workers 50 and older can add an $8,000 catch-up, and those aged 60–63 a super catch-up of $11,250, though this projection models the standard limit only. Use it to test the single most powerful levers in retirement saving: contribute at least enough to capture the full employer match, then raise your rate 1% a year.
Year-by-Year Projection
| Year | Age | Salary | Contribution | Match | End Balance |
|---|
Assumptions: contributions and match are credited at each year-end; returns compound annually; your deferral is capped at the 2026 limit of $24,500 (catch-up contributions for ages 50+ are not modeled). Nominal dollars — not adjusted for inflation, fees or future taxes. Projection is illustrative, not investment advice. Limits per IRS Notice 2025-67.
How to Use This Calculator
1. Enter your current age and target retirement age (full Social Security retirement age is 67 for those born after 1960). 2. Add your current 401(k) balance and salary. 3. Set your contribution percentage — check your paystub or plan portal. 4. Enter the employer match formula, e.g. "50% up to 6%" means your employer adds 50 cents per dollar you contribute, on contributions up to 6% of salary. 5. Set expected return (a diversified stock-heavy portfolio has historically averaged ~7% after inflation over long periods; use 5–6% for a conservative mix) and salary growth. The projection table and totals recalculate live.
How the Projection Works
Each year the model computes: employee contribution = salary × your % (capped at the $24,500 IRS limit for 2026), employer match = salary × min(your %, match-up-to %) × match %, and new balance = old balance × (1 + return) + contribution + match. Salary then grows by your growth rate and the cycle repeats until retirement age. "Investment growth" is the final balance minus your starting balance and all contributions — often the largest slice, which is the power of compounding over decades.
2026 401(k) Contribution Limits
| 2026 Limit | Amount |
|---|---|
| Employee elective deferral (under 50) | $24,500 |
| Catch-up contribution (age 50–59 and 64+) | +$8,000 ($32,500 total) |
| Super catch-up (ages 60–63, if plan allows) | +$11,250 ($35,750 total) |
| Combined employee + employer limit | $72,000 |
Source: IRS — 401(k) limit increases to $24,500 for 2026 (Notice 2025-67). New for 2026: catch-up contributions for higher earners (prior-year FICA wages over $150,000) must be made as Roth (after-tax) contributions under SECURE 2.0.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should I contribute to my 401(k)?
At minimum, contribute enough to capture the full employer match — it's an instant 50–100% return. Beyond that, a common guideline is 15% of gross income per year across all retirement accounts, including the match. If 15% isn't feasible, raise your rate 1% each year or with every raise.
What is the 401(k) contribution limit for 2026?
$24,500 for employee elective deferrals (up from $23,500 in 2025). Workers 50 and older can add an $8,000 catch-up ($32,500 total), and ages 60–63 may contribute an $11,250 super catch-up ($35,750 total) if their plan allows. The combined employee-plus-employer cap is $72,000.
How does the employer match work?
A "50% match up to 6%" formula means: for every dollar you contribute, your employer adds $0.50, but only on the first 6% of salary you defer. On a $70,000 salary that's up to $2,100 of free money per year. Match formulas and vesting schedules vary — check your plan documents.
What annual return should I assume?
Long-term, a diversified stock index portfolio has returned roughly 7% per year after inflation (about 10% nominal). Use 5–6% for a balanced or bond-heavy allocation, and test a pessimistic 4% case — your plan should survive it. Past performance never guarantees future results.
Are 401(k) withdrawals taxed in retirement?
Traditional 401(k) withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income in retirement; Roth 401(k) withdrawals are tax-free if qualified. Withdrawals before age 59½ generally incur a 10% early withdrawal penalty plus income tax, with limited exceptions.
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