401(k) Calculator: Projected Balance and Employer Match
A 401(k) calculator projects retirement-plan savings from an existing balance, employee contributions, an employer match, and an assumed investment return. It does not determine plan eligibility, vesting, taxes, fees, or the legally permitted contribution amount.
Quick answer
Employer matching can materially increase contributions. The projection assumes a constant salary and return unless you change the inputs, so it should be treated as a scenario rather than a forecast.
At a glance
- What it calculates
- Project a 401(k) balance from salary contributions, employer match, current savings, growth, and time.
- Who it is for
- US employees setting a contribution rate and capturing a full employer match.
- Coverage
- United States (federal rules; state and local rules vary)
- Data and assumptions
- A constant annual return, contributions each pay period, a match formula you enter, and no plan fees, loans or IRS limit testing.
- Cost
- Free, no signup, calculations run in your browser
- Last reviewed
- 2026-07-09
Calculator
How to use this calculator
- Enter the current 401(k) balance and salary.
- Enter employee contribution and estimated employer match.
- Enter an assumed return and years remaining.
- Compare the result with lower-return and contribution scenarios.
Explanation
What it is
A 401(k) calculator projects retirement-plan savings from an existing balance, employee contributions, an employer match, and an assumed investment return. It does not determine plan eligibility, vesting, taxes, fees, or the legally permitted contribution amount.
How it works
The calculator converts annual salary contribution percentages to monthly deposits and compounds them with the current balance at the assumed monthly return.
When to use it
Use it during open enrolment, after a raise, or whenever you are deciding what contribution percentage to set for the year.
Limitations
- Projections use one constant return; real markets vary year to year.
- IRS annual deferral and compensation limits are not enforced by this tool.
- Vesting schedules, plan loans, hardship withdrawals and true-up matches are not modelled.
Key terms
- 401(k)
- An employer-sponsored defined-contribution retirement plan.
- Employer match
- An employer contribution based on plan rules and employee participation.
- Vesting
- The schedule for gaining ownership of employer contributions.
- Contribution limit
- The annual legal limit, which depends on year, age, contribution type, and plan rules.
Formula
The calculator converts annual salary contribution percentages to monthly deposits and compounds them with the current balance at the assumed monthly return.
Worked example
On a $90,000 salary, a 10% employee contribution plus a 4% employer contribution adds $12,600 a year before investment growth.
FAQ
How much should I contribute to my 401(k)?
At minimum, many workers consider contributing enough to receive the full available match, then balance retirement goals with debt, emergency savings, and cash flow.
Does this enforce the 2026 contribution limit?
No. It projects from the percentage entered. Check current IRS limits and your plan rules, especially for catch-up and after-tax contributions.
Is an employer match guaranteed?
No. Match formulas, eligibility, vesting, and discretionary contributions vary by plan and employer.
What return should I assume?
Use a range that reflects asset allocation, fees, inflation, and uncertainty rather than relying on one optimistic number.
Is a 401(k) balance taxable?
Traditional and Roth contributions have different tax treatment. This calculator shows a nominal account value before withdrawal taxes.
Common mistakes
- Entering the employer match as a dollar amount when the plan matches a percentage of pay.
- Assuming the match continues above the plan's match cap.
- Ignoring plan administration and fund expense ratios, which reduce the net return.
- Forgetting that traditional 401(k) withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income.
Tips
- Contribute at least enough to earn the full employer match before funding other accounts.
- Raise the contribution rate by one percentage point each time you get a raise.
- Model a 5% and a 7% return separately rather than trusting one growth number.
- Check whether your plan offers a Roth 401(k) option for tax diversification.
Sources and editorial review
Educational estimates only; not personalized financial, tax, legal, lending, investment, or insurance advice.