401k Calculator

Q: What are the 401(k) contribution limits for 2026?

For 2026, you can contribute up to $24,500 per year if you are under age 50. 2 If you are 50 or older, the limit goes up to $32,500 thanks to an $8,000 catch-up contribution. 2 These limits apply to your own contributions, not your employer's match.

Q: What is the difference between a traditional 401(k) and a Roth 401(k)?

With a traditional 401(k) , your contributions are made before taxes, so you pay taxes when you withdraw in retirement. With a Roth 401(k) , you contribute after-tax dollars, but your withdrawals in retirement are tax-free. 6 This calculator assumes a traditional 401(k) structure.

Introduction

A 401(k) is one of the best ways to save money for retirement. It lets you put part of your paycheck into an account that grows over time. Many employers even match some of what you put in, which is like getting free money. But figuring out how much your 401(k) will be worth when you retire can be tricky. That's where this 401(k) calculator comes in.

This tool helps you see how much money you could have saved by the time you stop working. Just enter a few details like your age, how much you earn, how much you plan to save each year, and any employer match you get. The calculator shows how your savings can grow over time. Use it to plan ahead and make smart choices about your retirement savings.

How to Use Our 401k Calculator

Enter your income, savings, and retirement details below to see how much your 401k could grow by the time you retire.

Current Age: Enter how old you are right now. This helps the calculator figure out how many years you have left to save before retirement.

Retirement Age: Enter the age you plan to stop working. Most people choose somewhere between 59½ and 67, but you can pick any age that fits your plan.

Annual Salary: Enter the total amount of money you earn each year before taxes. Your 401k contributions are based on this number.

Contribution Percentage: Enter the percentage of your paycheck you put into your 401k each pay period. For example, if you save 10% of your salary, type in 10.

Employer Match Percentage: Enter the percentage your employer adds to your 401k on top of what you contribute. For instance, if your company matches 50% of your contributions, type in 50.

Employer Match Limit: Enter the maximum percentage of your salary that your employer will match. Many companies only match up to a certain percent, such as 6%.

Current 401k Balance: Enter the total amount of money you already have saved in your 401k account right now.

Expected Annual Rate of Return: Enter the yearly percentage you expect your investments to grow. A common estimate is between 6% and 8%, but this can vary based on how your money is invested.

Annual Salary Increase: Enter the percentage raise you expect to get each year. This helps the calculator account for higher contributions as your pay grows over time.

A 401(k) is a retirement savings plan offered by many employers in the United States. It lets you set aside a portion of your paycheck before taxes are taken out, which lowers your taxable income for the year. The money you contribute gets invested in options like stocks, bonds, and mutual funds, and it grows tax-deferred until you withdraw it in retirement.

How 401(k) Contributions Work

Each pay period, a percentage of your gross salary goes directly into your 401(k) account. For 2026, the IRS allows you to contribute up to $24,500 per year if you're under 50, or $32,500 if you're 50 or older.² The extra $8,000 is called a catch-up contribution, and it helps older workers save more as retirement gets closer.² Because contributions are made with pre-tax dollars in a traditional 401(k), you don't pay income tax on that money until you withdraw it later.

Employer Matching: Free Money for Your Retirement

One of the biggest benefits of a 401(k) is the employer match. Many companies will add extra money to your account based on how much you contribute. A common example is a 50% match on the first 6% of your salary. That means if you earn $75,000 and contribute 6% ($4,500), your employer adds another $2,250. If you don't contribute enough to get the full match, you are leaving free money on the table. Always try to contribute at least enough to get every dollar your employer is willing to give you.

The Power of Compound Growth

The real strength of a 401(k) comes from compound interest. When your investments earn returns, those returns get reinvested and start earning their own returns. Over 30 or 35 years, this snowball effect can turn modest monthly contributions into a very large nest egg. Starting early matters a lot. Someone who begins saving at age 25 will typically end up with far more money than someone who starts at 35, even if they contribute the same amount, simply because their money has more time to grow.

Early Withdrawal Penalties

A 401(k) is designed for retirement, so the IRS discourages you from taking money out early. If you withdraw funds before age 59½, you will generally face a 10% early withdrawal penalty on top of regular federal and state income taxes.³ For example, pulling out $50,000 at age 35 could cost you $18,500 or more in penalties and taxes, leaving you with only about $31,500. Beyond the immediate hit, you also lose all the future growth that money would have earned. That same $50,000, left invested at a 7% average return for 30 years, could have grown to over $380,000.

The 4% Rule for Retirement Income

Financial planners often use the 4% rule as a guideline for how much you can safely withdraw each year in retirement without running out of money. It suggests you can take out 4% of your total savings in your first year of retirement, then adjust that amount for inflation each year after.⁴ So if you retire with $1,000,000, you could withdraw about $40,000 per year, or roughly $3,333 per month. Keep in mind that inflation erodes purchasing power over time, so what feels like enough today may not stretch as far in 20 or 30 years. This rule isn't perfect for everyone, but it gives a useful starting point for estimating how much you need to save.

Tips to Make the Most of Your 401(k)

Start as early as possible. Even small contributions in your 20s can grow significantly by retirement.
Always get the full employer match. It's an instant return on your money that you can't get anywhere else.
Increase your contribution rate over time. When you get a raise, put at least part of it toward your 401(k).
Avoid early withdrawals. The penalties, taxes, and lost growth make this one of the most expensive financial decisions you can make.
Review your investments yearly. Make sure your fund choices match your age and risk tolerance.
Pay down high-interest debt. If credit card balances are holding you back from contributing more, paying them off lets you redirect those payments into your 401(k).
Consider other investments alongside your 401(k).

Formulas used

Annual Balance Accumulation

B_{t} = B_{t-1} + C_t + M_t + B_{t-1} \times r

Annual Employee Contribution (capped)

C_t = \min\!\left(S_t \times c,\; L_{\text{IRS}}\right)

Employer Match

M_t = \min\!\left(S_t \times c,\; S_t \times m_{\text{limit}}\right) \times m_{\text{rate}}

Salary Growth

S_t = S_{t-1} \times (1 + g)

Estimated Monthly Retirement Income (4% Rule)

I_{\text{monthly}} = \frac{B_{\text{final}} \times 0.04}{12}

Early Withdrawal Net Amount

\text{Net} = W - W \times p_{\text{penalty}} - W \times t_{\text{fed}} - W \times t_{\text{state}}

Opportunity Cost (Future Value Lost)

FV = W \times (1 + r)^{n}

Maximum Annual Employer Match

M_{\max} = S \times m_{\text{limit}} \times m_{\text{rate}}

Frequently asked questions

What is an employer match and how does it work?

An employer match is when your company puts extra money into your 401(k) based on how much you contribute. For example, if your employer offers a 50% match on the first 6% of your salary, they add $0.50 for every $1.00 you put in, up to that 6% limit. It is free money you should always try to get.

What are the 401(k) contribution limits for 2026?

For 2026, you can contribute up to $24,500 per year if you are under age 50.² If you are 50 or older, the limit goes up to $32,500 thanks to an $8,000 catch-up contribution.² These limits apply to your own contributions, not your employer's match.

What is a good contribution rate for a 401(k)?

Fidelity's guideline is to save at least 15% of pre-tax income for retirement each year, counting your employer match toward that figure.¹ At a minimum, you should contribute enough to get your full employer match. If you can't do 10% right away, start with what you can and increase it a little each year, especially when you get a raise.

What is the early withdrawal penalty for a 401(k)?

If you take money out of your 401(k) before age 59½, you typically pay a 10% early withdrawal penalty on top of federal and state income taxes.³ The Early Withdrawal tab on this calculator shows you exactly how much you would lose in penalties, taxes, and future growth.

What is the 4% rule shown in the results?

The 4% rule is a guideline that says you can withdraw 4% of your total retirement savings each year without running out of money over a 30-year retirement.⁴ The calculator uses this rule to estimate your monthly retirement income. For example, a $1,000,000 balance would give you about $3,333 per month.

What is the difference between a traditional 401(k) and a Roth 401(k)?

With a traditional 401(k), your contributions are made before taxes, so you pay taxes when you withdraw in retirement. With a Roth 401(k), you contribute after-tax dollars, but your withdrawals in retirement are tax-free.⁶ This calculator assumes a traditional 401(k) structure.

Can I lose money in my 401(k)?

Yes. Since 401(k) money is invested in stocks, bonds, and funds, your balance can go down during market downturns. However, over long periods of 20 to 30 years, the stock market has historically grown. Short-term losses are normal, which is why it's important to stay invested and not panic.

What happens to my 401(k) if I change jobs?

You have a few options. You can leave the money in your old employer's plan, roll it over into your new employer's 401(k), or roll it into an Individual Retirement Account (IRA). Rolling it over keeps your money growing tax-deferred, while a payment you do not roll over is taxable and may also owe the 10% additional tax on early distributions.⁵

Why does starting to save early make such a big difference?

Because of compound growth. When your money earns returns, those returns earn their own returns the next year. Over decades, this snowball effect is very powerful. Someone who starts saving at 25 can end up with much more money than someone who starts at 35, even if they save the same amount each year, simply because their money has 10 extra years to grow.

Are there exceptions to the 10% early withdrawal penalty?

Yes. Some exceptions include permanent disability, certain medical expenses, a court-ordered payment to a spouse or dependent, and leaving your employer after reaching age 55 (often called the Rule of 55).³ Hardship withdrawals may also be allowed, but they usually still owe taxes. Check with a tax professional for your specific situation.

Sources

Rate this calculator