401(k) Calculator with Employer Match
Project your retirement balance, see how your employer match grows your savings, and find out how much your 401(k) could pay you monthly at retirement.
Your information
Adjust the values — your projection updates instantly.
This is the actual percentage of your salary your employer contributes — not a match ratio. E.g. if your employer offers “50% match up to 6% of salary”, enter 3 (the resulting employer contribution is 3% of salary).
Of which $2,130,222 is projected investment growth.
Retirement savings projection
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What Is a 401(k) and How Does It Work?
A 401(k) is a tax-advantaged retirement savings plan offered by US employers. You contribute a percentage of your salary before taxes, which reduces your taxable income today. Your money grows tax-deferred until you withdraw it in retirement.
The biggest advantage is the employer match. Many employers contribute additional funds to your account based on what you put in. This is free money on top of your own savings, and not taking full advantage of it is one of the most common retirement planning mistakes.
How to Use This 401(k) Savings Calculator
- Enter your age and retirement date. Most people retire between 65 and 67. The calculator shows how many years your money has to grow.
- Add your current balance. If you are just starting, enter zero. If you already have savings, enter your current balance.
- Enter your salary and contribution rate. Input your gross annual salary and the percentage you contribute each paycheck. Include your expected annual salary increase, typically 2 to 3 percent.
- Add your employer match. Enter your employer's match percentage. Common formulas include 50% of your contribution up to 6% of salary, or 100% match up to 3% of salary. Check your benefits documents for your exact formula.
- Set your expected return. The stock market has historically averaged around 10% per year. Most financial planners recommend using 6 to 8% for conservative projections.
How Much Will My 401(k) Pay Me Per Month?
This depends on your total balance at retirement and how you withdraw it. The most widely used guideline is the 4% rule, which suggests withdrawing 4% of your balance in the first year of retirement, then adjusting for inflation each year after.
Here is what different retirement balances could pay you monthly:
| Balance at Retirement | Annual Withdrawal (4%) | Monthly Income |
|---|---|---|
| $500,000 | $20,000 | $1,667 |
| $750,000 | $30,000 | $2,500 |
| $1,000,000 | $40,000 | $3,333 |
| $1,500,000 | $60,000 | $5,000 |
| $2,000,000 | $80,000 | $6,667 |
These are pre-tax figures. You will pay income tax on traditional 401(k) withdrawals in retirement. Most retirees also combine 401(k) income with Social Security benefits. Use this calculator to find your projected balance, then apply the 4% rule to estimate your monthly income.
How Employer Match Works in a 401(k)
The employer match is the most important input in this calculator. Here is why it matters.
Say you earn $80,000 and your employer offers a 50% match up to 6% of your salary. If you contribute 6% ($4,800), your employer adds $2,400. That is an instant 50% return on $4,800 before any investment growth.
If you only contribute 3% to get a partial match, you leave $1,200 of free money on the table every year. Over 30 years at a 7% return, that uncaptured match grows to over $114,000.
Common employer match formulas:
- 50% match on contributions up to 6% of salary
- 100% match on contributions up to 3% of salary
- 100% match on the first 4%, 50% on the next 2%
Always contribute at least enough to capture your full employer match before increasing contributions elsewhere.
401(k) Contribution Limits for 2026
The IRS sets annual limits on how much you can contribute to a 401(k).
| Category | 2026 Limit |
|---|---|
| Employee contribution limit (under 50) | $24,500 |
| Catch-up contribution (age 50 and older) | $8,000 additional |
| Super catch-up contribution (ages 60 to 63) | $11,250 additional |
| Combined employer and employee limit | $72,000 |
Source: IRS Notice 2025-67.
If you are 50 or older, your total contribution limit is $32,500. If you are between 60 and 63, it rises to $35,750 under the SECURE 2.0 Act super catch-up provision.
Note: Starting in 2026, employees who earned more than $150,000 in prior-year FICA wages must make catch-up contributions as Roth contributions.
What Return Rate Should You Use in This Calculator?
The expected annual return is the biggest variable in any long-term projection. A small change in this number has a large effect on your final balance.
- 10% is the approximate historical average annual return of the S&P 500 before inflation.
- 6 to 8% is what most financial planners recommend for projections. This accounts for inflation, fees, and the fact that most people hold a mix of stocks and bonds.
- Age-based guidance: Younger investors with 30 or more years to retirement can use a higher return assumption because they have time to ride out market downturns. Those within 10 years of retirement should use a more conservative figure since their portfolio is typically less aggressive.
Use 7% as a starting point. Then run the calculator at 5% and 9% to see the range of possible outcomes.
How Much Should You Have in Your 401(k) by Age?
A common benchmark used by financial planners:
| Age | Savings Target |
|---|---|
| 30 | 1x your annual salary |
| 40 | 3x your annual salary |
| 50 | 6x your annual salary |
| 60 | 8x your annual salary |
| 67 | 10x your annual salary |
These are guidelines, not rules. Someone planning early retirement needs to save more. Someone with a pension or other income source may need less. Use this calculator to find the number that fits your specific situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is a 401(k) balance calculated?
Your balance grows from three sources: your contributions, your employer's matching contributions, and investment returns. Each pay period, a percentage of your salary goes into the account. Your employer adds their match if you contribute enough to qualify. Both amounts are invested and grow through compound returns over time. This calculator applies compound interest to project where those three sources together will take you by retirement.
How much will I get from my 401(k) monthly?
Divide your projected retirement balance by 25 to get your estimated annual withdrawal under the 4% rule. Divide that by 12 for a monthly figure. For example, a $1 million balance gives you roughly $40,000 per year, or $3,333 per month before tax. Add your Social Security estimate to get a fuller picture of your retirement income.
How much should I contribute to my 401(k)?
Start by contributing enough to get your full employer match. That is the minimum. From there, financial planners generally recommend saving 10 to 15% of your gross salary, including the employer match. If you started saving late, aim for the higher end of that range or take advantage of the catch-up contribution if you are 50 or older.
What is the 401(k) contribution limit for 2026?
The annual contribution limit for employees in 401(k) plans is $24,500 for 2026, up from $23,500 in 2025. The catch-up contribution for those aged 50 and older increased to $8,000, and the super catch-up for ages 60 to 63 remains at $11,250.
What happens to my 401(k) if I return to India?
Your 401(k) remains invested and continues to grow. You have several options: leave it with your employer’s plan, roll it over to an IRA, or withdraw it (with taxes and a 10% penalty if under 59.5). For NRIs planning to return to India, the decision depends on your tax situation in both countries and when you plan to access the funds. See our 401(k) Withdrawal Comparison Tool for a detailed breakdown of each option.
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