401(k) Calculator
Project what your 401(k) could be worth at retirement. Enter your balance, salary, contribution rate, and employer match, and the calculator grows it year by year — applying the 2026 IRS contribution limits and the age-50 and age 60–63 catch-ups automatically as you age.
The result separates your own contributions, your employer’s match, and investment growth, so you can see how much of the final balance is free money from your employer and how much is compounding doing the work.
Projected balance at retirement
$1,597,316
In 32 years, at age 67
- Your contributions
- $353,816
- Employer match
- $106,145
- Investment growth
- $1,087,355
- Starting balance
- $50,000
Calculation Formulas
The balance is simulated month by month: it grows at the monthly return (annual return ÷ 12) and each month’s combined employee + employer contribution is added.
Example:
$50,000 today, $80,000 salary at 10% with a 50%-up-to-6% match and a 6% return grows to roughly $1.38M over 30 years.
Your contribution is capped at the 2026 elective-deferral limit of $24,500, plus an $8,000 catch-up at age 50+ or $11,250 at ages 60–63.
The employer matches your deferrals up to a cap (e.g. 50% of contributions up to 6% of salary).
Key Figures
| Figure | Value | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 elective deferral (§402(g)) | $24,500 | Maximum employee 401(k)/403(b)/457/TSP contribution for 2026. |
| 2026 catch-up, age 50+ | $8,000 | Additional contribution allowed at age 50 or older. |
| 2026 super catch-up, age 60–63 | $11,250 | Higher catch-up for ages 60–63 (indexed separately — not 150% of the regular catch-up). |
| 2026 total additions (§415(c)) | $72,000 | Combined employee + employer limit, excluding catch-up. |
| Roth catch-up wage threshold | $150,000 | If 2025 FICA wages exceed this, 2026 catch-ups must be Roth (SECURE 2.0, effective Jan 1 2026). |
Note: Results are estimates for planning purposes. Rates, fees, taxes, and insurance vary by lender and location — confirm exact figures with a licensed professional before making financial decisions.
Standards & Sources
Last verified: July 2026
- IRS Notice 2025-67
The 2026 contribution limits and catch-up amounts come directly from IRS Notice 2025-67, announced Nov 13, 2025 (IR-2025-111), effective January 1, 2026.
- SECURE 2.0 Roth catch-up rule
Final regulations (Sept 2025) require age-50+ catch-up contributions to be Roth for participants whose prior-year FICA wages exceeded $150,000 — effective January 1, 2026. Plan-level implementation may vary.
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter your current 401(k) balance, age, and the age you plan to retire.
- Enter your annual salary, the percentage of it you contribute, and your expected salary growth.
- Enter your employer’s match — the rate they match and the percentage of salary they match up to.
- Set an expected annual return, then read your projected balance at retirement broken into contributions, match, and growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can I contribute to my 401(k) in 2026?
For 2026 the employee contribution limit is $24,500. If you are 50 or older you can add an $8,000 catch-up (total $32,500), and if you are age 60–63 the catch-up rises to $11,250 (total $35,750). These limits are set by IRS Notice 2025-67.
Does my employer match count toward the $24,500 limit?
No. The $24,500 limit applies only to your own elective contributions. Employer matching is separate and counts toward the higher overall §415(c) limit, which is $72,000 for 2026 (plus any catch-up).
Do I have to make my 401(k) catch-up contributions Roth in 2026?
If your prior-year (2025) FICA wages from your employer were over $150,000, then yes — under SECURE 2.0, effective January 1, 2026, your age-50+ catch-up contributions must be designated Roth (after-tax). Below that wage threshold you can still make pre-tax catch-ups.
What is a good 401(k) contribution rate?
A widely cited guideline is saving 15% of your pre-tax income for retirement, including any employer match. At a minimum, contribute enough to capture your full employer match — that is an immediate, guaranteed return on your money.
What rate of return should I assume?
This calculator defaults to a conservative 6% annual return; historically a stock-heavy portfolio has averaged closer to 10% before inflation, but a lower assumption builds in a margin of safety. Try a range of returns to see how sensitive your projection is.
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