The 401(k) Calculator estimates a 401(k) balance at retirement and the withdrawals it can pay, based on salary, contribution percentage, employer match, age, salary increases and investment return. It is mainly intended for U.S. residents.
You will have $1,669,777.53 in your 401(k) at age 65.
| Balance at retirement | $1,669,777.53 |
| Equivalent in today's money | $593,411.21 |
| Your total contributions | $453,465.61 |
| Employer total match | $68,019.84 |
| Investment growth | $1,113,292.08 |
| Monthly withdrawal to age 85 | $11,962.80 |
| Monthly withdrawal in today's money | $4,251.38 |
Early 401(k) withdrawals usually carry a 10% penalty on top of income tax. This shows what you actually receive.
| Withdrawal amount | $10,000.00 |
| Early withdrawal penalty (10%) | $1,000.00 |
| Income taxes | $3,000.00 |
| Amount you receive | $6,000.00 |
| Lost to penalty and tax | 40.00% |
Contributing too little leaves match money on the table; contributing too much can hit the IRS limit early in the year and stop the match. This finds the contribution window.
Contribute between 6.00% and 32.67% of your salary to get the full employer match.
| Minimum contribution for full match | 6.00% |
| Maximum before reaching the IRS limit | 32.67% |
| IRS limit for your age | $24,500.00 |
| Yearly employer match at the full level | $2,025.00 |
A 401(k) is an employer-sponsored retirement account in the United States, named after a section of the Internal Revenue Code. Money is taken from your paycheck before income tax (traditional) or after tax (Roth), invested in funds you choose, and left to grow until retirement. Because tax on the growth is deferred or removed, the same savings can grow noticeably faster than in an ordinary taxable account.
Most plans offer a menu of mutual funds or target-date funds. Some employers also offer a self-directed brokerage window, and self-employed people can open a solo 401(k).
For 2026 the IRS lets an employee contribute up to $24,500 of salary, plus a catch-up of $8,000 from age 50. Employer contributions have a separate, much higher combined limit. This calculator caps your yearly contribution at the employee limit, so very high contribution percentages may not all count.
Limits rise with inflation most years, so check the current figure each January and raise your percentage if you want to keep maxing out.
A common formula is "50% of what you contribute, up to 3% of salary" (the default here). If you earn $75,000 and contribute 10%, your employer adds 50% × 3% × $75,000 = $1,125. Contributing less than the match limit means turning down free money, which is why financial planners usually say to contribute at least enough to get the full match before anything else.
Some matches vest over several years; if you leave early you may lose the unvested part. Check your plan's vesting schedule.
Each year until retirement the calculator raises your salary by the expected increase, adds your contribution (capped by the IRS limit) and the employer match, then grows the whole balance by the expected return. The final balance is also shown in today's money by removing inflation. Finally it works out a level monthly withdrawal that would use up the balance by your life expectancy while the remainder keeps earning the same return.
Worked example: starting with $35,000 at 30, contributing 10% of $75,000 rising 3% a year, a 50% match up to 3%, and 6% returns, the balance at 65 is well over a million dollars in future money, roughly a third of that in today's money.
Taking money out before age 59½ normally costs a 10% penalty plus ordinary income tax. Exceptions include leaving your job in or after the year you turn 55, total disability, certain medical expenses and a few others. With a 25% federal rate, 5% state tax and the penalty, a $10,000 withdrawal leaves only $6,000 in your pocket. Loans from the plan or hardship withdrawals may be cheaper, but they also stop that money growing.
Traditional contributions lower your tax bill today and are taxed when withdrawn. Roth contributions are taxed today and come out tax-free later. If you expect to be in a higher tax bracket in retirement, Roth often wins; if you expect a lower bracket, traditional usually does. Many people split contributions between both to spread the risk.
How much should I contribute? At least enough for the full match; many planners suggest 10–15% of salary in total.
What return should I assume? Long-run stock-heavy portfolios have averaged around 6–8% before inflation, but there are no guarantees; try a few values.
What happens when I change jobs? You can usually leave the money, move it to the new employer's plan, or roll it into an IRA without tax.
When must I start withdrawing? Required minimum distributions generally start at age 73; see the RMD Calculator.