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401K Calculator

A 401(k) grows faster when your employer matches part of your contribution. This calculator projects your balance at retirement including salary growth, employer match and investment returns.

How it works Report a problem

401k Calculator

Estimate your future retirement balance with employer matching

$0
Estimated Balance at Retirement
Includes employer match and compounding
Total Employer Match
$0
Total Contributions
$0
Total Interest
$0
401k Growth Projection

A 401(k) grows in three ways at once: your own contributions, your employer's match, and compound returns on both. This calculator brings the three together so you can see what your current saving rate might be worth by the time you retire, and what changes if you raise it by even one percent.

How to use this calculator

  • Enter your current age, planned retirement age and current 401(k) balance.
  • Add your annual salary and the percentage you contribute from each paycheck.
  • Enter your employer's match, for example 50% of the first 6% you contribute.
  • Set an expected annual return and press calculate to see the projected balance.

Why the match matters

The employer match is the closest thing to a guaranteed return you will ever get. Contributing at least enough to capture the full match should be the first goal; after that, small annual increases are painless because they line up with salary raises, and they make a surprisingly large difference over 20 or 30 years.

Frequently asked questions

How much should I contribute to my 401(k)?
At minimum, contribute enough to get the full employer match. Many planners aim for 10 to 15 percent of income including the match, but the right number depends on your age, debts and other savings.
Does this calculator include taxes or fees?
No. The projection is shown before taxes and plan fees, so treat it as a planning estimate rather than a promise of your final balance.
What return rate should I assume?
Long-term diversified portfolios have historically returned around 6 to 8 percent a year on average, though returns vary and past performance never guarantees future results.