401(k) calculator
Project your balance at retirement with employer match, salary growth and the 2026 contribution limits.
Your details
Results update as you type.
Contributions
Percent of salary, capped at the IRS limit
Percent of your contribution, for example 50
Percent of salary, for example 6
Assumptions
Per year
Before inflation
2026 limits applied each year by age
Deferral limit $24,500, plus $8,000 catch-up from age 50 and a $11,250 super catch-up at ages 60 to 63.
How a 401(k) grows
- Your contributions
- A percent of each paycheck goes in before you see it. The IRS caps what you can defer each year, with extra room from age 50.
- Employer match
- Many employers add a percent of what you put in, up to a share of your salary. It is part of your pay, so capture all of it.
- Compound growth
- Returns are earned on prior returns. Over 30 years, growth usually ends up larger than everything you and your employer put in.
- Time in the market
- Starting five years earlier often matters more than contributing a few percent more. The earliest dollars compound the longest.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the 401(k) contribution limit for 2026?
- For 2026 you can defer up to $24,500 of your own pay into a 401(k). If you are 50 or older you can add a catch-up contribution of $8,000, and if you are 60 to 63 the super catch-up is $11,250 instead. Employer contributions sit on top of these limits.
- How does an employer match work?
- A typical match is 50% of what you contribute, up to 6% of your salary. If you earn $80,000 and contribute 6%, you put in $4,800 and your employer adds $2,400. Contribute less than 6% and the match shrinks with it, which is why the match threshold is the minimum most people should aim for.
- What annual return should I assume?
- A diversified stock-heavy portfolio has historically returned around 7% a year before inflation over long periods, which is why 7% is the default here. Use 5% or 6% if you want a more cautious plan, or if your portfolio leans toward bonds as you approach retirement.
- Does this calculator work for a Roth 401(k)?
- Yes. The growth math is the same whether your contributions are pre-tax or Roth. The difference is when you pay tax: a traditional 401(k) balance is taxed as income when you withdraw it, while qualified Roth withdrawals are tax free. Employer match always goes into the pre-tax side.
- Why does salary growth matter?
- Because contributions are a percent of pay, a raise lifts both your contribution and your employer match automatically. A 3% annual increase roughly matches long-run wage growth. Set it to 0% if you want a conservative projection in today's dollars.
Disclaimer
This calculator produces estimates for educational purposes only. It assumes a constant annual return, steady salary growth and contributions made once a year, and it does not model taxes, fees, vesting schedules or plan-specific rules. Actual results will vary.
Warren provides educational information, not individualized financial, tax or legal advice. Read our disclaimers.
Want a retirement plan built around your numbers?
Warren AI can look at your accounts, your match and your goals, then show you what to change to retire on your terms.