401(k) calculator

2026 401(k) contribution limits

Limit (2026)	Amount
Employee deferrals (pre-tax + Roth combined)	$24,500
Catch-up, age 50 and over	+$8,000
Higher catch-up, ages 60–63	+$11,250 (instead of $8,000)
Total from you + employer (annual additions)	$72,000, not counting catch-up

From 2026, if you earned more than $150,000 in FICA wages from your employer the previous year, any catch-up contributions have to go in as Roth (after-tax). The calculator caps your contributions at these limits each year; everything is covered in more detail in 401(k) contribution limits for 2026.

How the employer match works

A match formula has two parts: the rate and the cap. "50% up to 6%" means your employer adds 50 cents for every dollar you contribute, on the first 6% of your salary. Put in 6% and they add 3%. Put in 10% and they still add 3%. Put in 4% and they add only 2%. A "dollar-for-dollar up to 4%" plan is 100% up to 4%. Enter your plan's numbers in the two match boxes and the calculator shows whether you're getting all of it.

Many plans have a vesting schedule, meaning employer contributions only become fully yours after a few years of service. If you might leave soon, check your plan's summary; see what happens to your 401(k) when you leave a job.

Worked example: $70,000 salary, 8% in, 50% match

• You contribute: 8% of $70,000 = $5,600 in year one
• Employer adds: 50% × 6% × $70,000 = $2,100
• Over 37 years with 3% raises and a 7% return, starting from $15,000, the balance reaches roughly $2.0 million in future dollars
• In today's money (2.5% inflation) that's about $810,000, which supports around $2,700 a month under the 4% rule

That gap between future dollars and today's dollars is why the calculator shows both. A seven-figure balance in 2063 won't buy what a million buys now.

How much should you contribute?

A common order of priorities: first contribute enough to get the full match (it's free money), then build an emergency fund and clear high-interest debt, then work up toward 15% of your income including the match. If you can max out, great — but most people don't need to in their 20s to retire comfortably. We walk through the trade-offs in How much should I contribute to my 401(k)? and compare account types in 401(k) vs IRA.

What the projection assumes

• A constant average return every year. Real markets bounce around; a 7% nominal average is a common long-run planning figure for a stock-heavy portfolio, not a promise.
• Contributions are spread through the year, so each year's contributions earn about half a year of growth.
• IRS limits stay at 2026 levels. In practice they rise with inflation, so heavy savers may be able to contribute more than shown.
• No fees, loans, hardship withdrawals or vesting forfeitures. Fund fees of even 0.5% a year noticeably reduce a 30-year balance.
• The balance is shown before tax. Traditional 401(k) withdrawals are taxed as income; qualified Roth 401(k) withdrawals are not.

Frequently asked questions

What is the 401(k) contribution limit for 2026?

$24,500 in employee deferrals, plus an $8,000 catch-up if you're 50 or older, or an $11,250 catch-up if you're 60 to 63. The combined limit for you and your employer is $72,000, not counting catch-up contributions.

How does a 401(k) employer match work?

Your employer adds a percentage of what you contribute, up to a cap based on your salary. With a 50% match up to 6%, contributing 6% of your pay gets you an extra 3% from your employer.

How much will my 401(k) be worth when I retire?

It depends on your contributions, match, returns and time. The calculator projects it year by year and shows the result in both future dollars and today's dollars.

Is 7% a realistic return for a 401(k)?

It's a commonly used long-run planning assumption for a portfolio mostly in stocks, before inflation. Use a lower rate (5–6%) for a more conservative projection or if you hold more bonds.

Should I choose a traditional or Roth 401(k)?

Traditional lowers your tax bill now; Roth gives tax-free withdrawals later. Roth tends to win if you expect a higher tax rate in retirement. Both share the same contribution limit.