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Free 401(k) Calculator with Employer Match
Project your 401(k) balance from today to retirement with all the realism: IRS § 402(g) elective deferral cap ($23,500), § 414(v) catch-up for age 50+ ($7,500) and SECURE 2.0 age 60–63 enhanced catch-up ($11,250), employer match with configurable rate and cap, 401(a)(17) salary cap, monthly compounding, and salary growth. Toggle between Traditional (pre-tax + taxable withdrawal) and Roth (after-tax + tax-free withdrawal) with full tax-impact comparison.
Use 2026 for current-year planning; switch to 2025 to apply that year's 401(k) contribution limits.
You
Contributions
Traditional saves you tax today; Roth lets you withdraw tax-free in retirement.
As % of salary. Industry recommendation: at least enough to capture the full match.
Match rate (e.g. 50% = $0.50 per $1)
As % of salary (e.g. 6%)
Balance at age 65
$2,654,848
≈ $2,070,782 after retirement-bracket taxes (22%)
Traditional tax effects
Balance at age 65
$2,654,848
≈ $2,070,782 after retirement-bracket taxes (22%)
Traditional tax effects
Year-by-year projection
| Age | You | Match | Growth | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 | $8,000 | +$2,400 | +$3,890 | $64,290 |
| 31 | $8,240 | +$2,472 | +$4,902 | $79,905 |
| 32 | $8,487 | +$2,546 | +$6,007 | $96,945 |
| 33 | $8,742 | +$2,623 | +$7,213 | $115,522 |
| 34 | $9,004 | +$2,701 | +$8,526 | $135,753 |
| 35 | $9,274 | +$2,782 | +$9,955 | $157,765 |
| 36 | $9,552 | +$2,866 | +$11,510 | $181,693 |
| 37 | $9,839 | +$2,952 | +$13,198 | $207,682 |
| 38 | $10,134 | +$3,040 | +$15,032 | $235,888 |
| 39 | $10,438 | +$3,131 | +$17,021 | $266,479 |
| 40 | $10,751 | +$3,225 | +$19,178 | $299,634 |
| 41 | $11,074 | +$3,322 | +$21,515 | $335,545 |
| 42 | $11,406 | +$3,422 | +$24,045 | $374,417 |
| 43 | $11,748 | +$3,524 | +$26,782 | $416,472 |
| 44 | $12,101 | +$3,630 | +$29,743 | $461,946 |
| 45 | $12,464 | +$3,739 | +$32,944 | $511,093 |
| 46 | $12,838 | +$3,851 | +$36,403 | $564,185 |
| 47 | $13,223 | +$3,967 | +$40,138 | $621,513 |
| 48 | $13,619 | +$4,086 | +$44,170 | $683,388 |
| 49 | $14,028 | +$4,208 | +$48,522 | $750,146 |
| 50 | $14,449 | +$4,335 | +$53,215 | $822,145 |
| 51 | $14,882 | +$4,465 | +$58,276 | $899,768 |
| 52 | $15,329 | +$4,599 | +$63,732 | $983,427 |
| 53 | $15,789 | +$4,737 | +$69,610 | $1,073,563 |
| 54 | $16,262 | +$4,879 | +$75,943 | $1,170,646 |
| 55 | $16,750 | +$5,025 | +$82,762 | $1,275,184 |
| 56 | $17,253 | +$5,176 | +$90,105 | $1,387,717 |
| 57 | $17,770 | +$5,331 | +$98,007 | $1,508,826 |
| 58 | $18,303 | +$5,491 | +$106,511 | $1,639,131 |
| 59 | $18,853 | +$5,656 | +$115,659 | $1,779,298 |
| 60 | $19,418 | +$5,825 | +$125,498 | $1,930,040 |
| 61 | $20,001 | +$6,000 | +$136,078 | $2,092,119 |
| 62 | $20,601 | +$6,180 | +$147,453 | $2,266,353 |
| 63 | $21,219 | +$6,366 | +$159,680 | $2,453,617 |
| 64 | $21,855 | +$6,557 | +$172,819 | $2,654,848 |
At 65
$2,654,848
Employer match
+$145,109
📐 Open methodology, sources & limitations
Formula
For each year from current age to retirement age:
salary = annualSalary × (1 + salaryGrowth)^yearIndex
cappedSalary = min(salary, compensation cap: $350,000 (2025) / $360,000 (2026))
employeeContrib = min(salary × employeeContribution%, IRS deferral limit)
IRS deferral limit = $23,500 (2025) / $24,500 (2026)
+ $7,500 (2025) / $8,000 (2026) if age 50–59 or 64+
+ $11,250 (both years) if age 60–63 (SECURE 2.0 enhanced catch-up)
matchable = min(employeeContrib, cappedSalary × matchCap%)
employerMatch = matchable × employerMatch%
totalContrib = min(employeeContrib + employerMatch,
§415(c) limit: $70,000 (2025) / $72,000 (2026))
Growth: contribution split into 12 equal pieces applied at the start of
each month; balance accrues monthlyRate = (1 + annualReturn)^(1/12) − 1.
Traditional plan:
tax savings now = Σ employeeContrib × marginalRateNow
taxes at retirement = finalBalance × marginalRateRetirement
net after-tax = finalBalance − taxes at retirementAssumptions
- Elective deferral limit of $23,500 for 2025 / $24,500 for 2026 (IRC §402(g)).
- Age 50+ catch-up of $7,500 (2025) / $8,000 (2026); SECURE 2.0 enhanced catch-up of $11,250 for ages 60–63 in both years (IRC §414(v)).
- Combined employee + employer contributions capped at $70,000 (2025) / $72,000 (2026) (IRC §415(c)).
- Compensation eligible for the match capped at $350,000 (2025) / $360,000 (2026) (IRC §401(a)(17)).
- Returns compound monthly; the annual return is converted geometrically, not divided by 12.
- You supply your own marginal tax rates today and in retirement — the tool does not derive them from income.
Sources
- IRC §402(g) — Limitation on elective deferrals — §402(g)
- IRC §414(v) — Catch-up contributions for participants age 50+ and SECURE 2.0 ages 60–63 — §414(v)
- IRC §415(c) — Limitation on defined contribution plans — §415(c)
- IRC §401(a)(17) — Annual compensation limit — §401(a)(17)
- IRS Notice 2024-80 — 2025 retirement plan limits
- IRS Notice 2025-67 — 2026 retirement plan limits
This tool does NOT model:
- A constant annual return — no market volatility or sequence-of-returns risk
- Investment fees and fund expense ratios
- Early-withdrawal penalties or 401(k) loans
- Roth vs Traditional tax accounting beyond the simple marginal-rate estimate
- Vesting schedules on employer-match dollars
- 2027 and later limits — figures reflect IRS Notices 2024-80 (2025) and 2025-67 (2026)
Last reviewed: 2026-06-12 · Tax year modeled: 2025 & 2026 (selectable)
This methodology section exists so you can verify the math. We show our formulas because you deserve to know how a number was calculated. This is calculation transparency, not financial advice.
What changed for 2026
IRS Notice 2025-67 set the 2026 401(k) limits: the elective deferral limit rose $1,000 to $24,500, the age-50 catch-up rose to $8,000, and the combined employee-plus-employer §415(c) ceiling rose to $72,000. The SECURE 2.0 enhanced catch-up for workers aged 60–63 stays at $11,250, so that group can defer up to $35,750 in 2026. The compensation cap used for match calculations rose to $360,000. If you set your contribution as a fixed dollar amount rather than a percentage, bump it for January so you do not leave the new $1,000 of deferral space unused.
| Limit | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Elective deferral (§402(g)) | $23,500 | $24,500 |
| Catch-up, age 50+ (§414(v)) | $7,500 | $8,000 |
| Enhanced catch-up, ages 60–63 | $11,250 | $11,250 |
| Employee + employer total (§415(c)) | $70,000 | $72,000 |
| Compensation cap (§401(a)(17)) | $350,000 | $360,000 |
How a 401(k) actually grows
A 401(k) is the most powerful wealth-building vehicle available to most workers in America, and the math is genuinely magic in three compounding ways: tax-deferred (or tax-free) growth, employer matching, and decades of compounding. This calculator models all three with the IRS limits in effect for whichever year you select — 2025 per IRS Notice 2024-80 or 2026 per Notice 2025-67.
Employer match is free money
If your employer offers “50% match on the first 6% of salary,” contributing anything less than 6% means you're forfeiting free money. On a $80k salary, contributing 6% gets you a $2,400 employer match per year — every year, for as long as you're there. Over a 35-year career, that's a quarter-million dollars in matching contributions you were eligible to receive. The calculator highlights any “lost match” in the results panel when your contribution falls below the match cap.
IRS contribution limits (2025 and 2026)
The IRS caps elective deferrals at $23,500 for 2025 and $24,500 for 2026 for workers under 50 (IRC § 402(g)). Workers 50 and older can contribute an additional $7,500 catch-up in 2025 ($8,000 in 2026) for $31,000 / $32,500 total. The SECURE 2.0 Act added an enhanced catch-up for workers 60–63 of $11,250 (§ 414(v)(2)(E)) — that tier is capped at $34,750 in 2025 and $35,750 in 2026. Total combined contributions (employee + employer) cap at $70,000 / $72,000 under § 415(c) — the gap between your deferral and that ceiling is the space the mega backdoor Roth calculator sizes. Salary subject to the match cap is itself capped at $350,000 / $360,000 (§ 401(a)(17)).
Traditional vs Roth
Traditional 401(k) contributions reduce your taxable income today — every dollar you contribute saves you 22 cents (or whatever your marginal bracket is) in federal tax this year. But withdrawals in retirement are taxed as ordinary income.
Roth 401(k) contributions don't reduce taxes today — you contribute after-tax dollars. But all withdrawals (contributions + growth) are completely tax-free in retirement, provided you're 59½+ and the account is 5+ years old. Roth is mathematically equivalent to Traditional if your bracket today equals your bracket in retirement; better than Traditional if you expect a higher bracket in retirement; worse if you expect a lower one. The Roth vs Traditional calculator runs that comparison properly, including investing the Traditional tax savings on the side.
Common 401(k) mistakes
- Not contributing enough to get the full match. The single most common mistake. Every percentage point you contribute below the match cap is a percentage point of free money you leave on the table — forever.
- Investing too conservatively when young. Target-date funds typically allocate equities aggressively for younger workers because long horizons handle volatility. A 30-year-old in a money-market fund forfeits decades of compound growth for a perceived sense of safety.
- Cashing out when changing jobs. Withdrawals before 59½ trigger a 10% penalty plus ordinary income tax — typically losing 30–40% of your balance. Always roll over to your new employer's 401(k) or to an IRA instead.
- Forgetting old 401(k)s. The average American holds 12 jobs over a career. Old 401(k)s become administratively painful; consolidate them into a rollover IRA or your current 401(k).
- Choosing Roth without doing the math. Roth makes sense if your current bracket is lower than your expected retirement bracket. For high earners today expecting lower retirement income, Traditional often wins.
- Loaning against your 401(k). 401(k) loans are taxed twice (you pay yourself back with after-tax dollars that will be taxed again at withdrawal) and force-default if you leave the job before repaying. Avoid except for true emergencies.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should I contribute to my 401(k)?+
At minimum, enough to capture the full employer match — that's free money. Beyond that, the financial-planning rule of thumb is 15% of gross income (employee + employer combined) for someone starting in their 20s, scaling up to 20–25% if you start later or want to retire early. The IRS max for 2025 is $23,500 ($31,000 with the age 50+ catch-up). High earners aiming at FIRE often max out from year 1.
What's the difference between Traditional and Roth 401(k)?+
Traditional contributions are pre-tax — they reduce your current-year taxable income, so you save your marginal-bracket rate today (22% for most middle-income earners). Withdrawals in retirement are taxed as ordinary income. Roth contributions are after-tax — no tax savings today, but all withdrawals (contributions + growth) are tax-free in retirement. Roth is better when your retirement bracket will be higher than today's; Traditional is better when retirement bracket will be lower.
How does employer match work?+
Typical structure: "50% match on the first 6% of salary." This means your employer puts in $0.50 for every $1 you contribute, up to 6% of your salary. On an $80,000 salary, contributing the full 6% ($4,800) gets you a $2,400 match. Contributing 3% gets you only a $1,200 match — you've "lost" $1,200/year of free money. The calculator flags this when your contribution falls below the match cap.
What are the 2025 and 2026 401(k) contribution limits?+
For 2025 (IRS Notice 2024-80): elective deferral $23,500 (IRC § 402(g)); standard catch-up for age 50+ is $7,500 (§ 414(v)); SECURE 2.0 enhanced catch-up for ages 60–63 is $11,250 (§ 414(v)(2)(E)); total combined employee + employer contribution cap is $70,000 (§ 415(c)); salary cap for match calculation is $350,000 (§ 401(a)(17)). For 2026 (IRS Notice 2025-67): elective deferral $24,500; age-50 catch-up $8,000; ages 60–63 catch-up $11,250; total cap $72,000.
Is the SECURE 2.0 catch-up automatic at 60?+
It applies in calendar years you turn 60, 61, 62, or 63. At age 64, you revert to the standard $7,500 catch-up. Some plans implement this; not all have rolled out the systems update yet — check with your plan administrator. This calculator applies it whenever your age falls in 60–63 to project the maximum allowed under current law.
Should I prioritize 401(k) match over paying off debt?+
For most people, yes — at least up to the match cap. A 50% match is an instant 50% return on your contribution; no other risk-free investment comes close. Exception: very-high-interest debt (credit cards at 24%+) usually beats a partial match. After capturing the full match, prioritize debt repayment vs further 401(k) contributions based on the after-tax debt rate vs expected investment return.
Can I withdraw early?+
Yes, but with significant penalty. Withdrawals before age 59½ are subject to a 10% early withdrawal penalty PLUS ordinary income tax — typically you net 60–65% of what you withdraw. Exceptions: hardship withdrawals (limited), 72(t) substantially equal periodic payments, certain medical expenses. Generally, avoid early withdrawals — the tax-deferred compound growth is the whole point.
Is my data stored?+
No. Every calculation runs in your browser. Your salary, balance, and contribution rate never touch a server. The URL can encode your inputs for sharing, but parameters live only in the link.
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