401(k) Calculator
Project your 401(k) balance based on your contributions (include any employer match in the monthly amount).
Your Details
Contributions vs. Growth
What makes up your final balance
- Contributed$215.0K
- Growth$471.4K
Final Balance by Rate of Return
Sensitivity to your assumed return
Balance Growth Over Time
Total balance year by year
Contributed vs. Growth by Year
How growth accelerates over time
How It Works
- Enter your starting balance and regular contribution.
- Enter your expected annual rate of return.
- Set your time horizon in years.
- Press Calculate to update your results and charts.
Formula Used
P = current balance, r = periodic rate, t = number of periods, PMT = your contribution plus any employer match per period.
Good to Know
- • Starting earlier matters more than contributing more later.
- • Small rate differences compound into large gaps over decades.
- • Consistent contributions smooth out market swings.
Important Notes
- • Returns are assumed, not guaranteed.
- • Figures don't account for taxes or fees unless noted.
- • Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Don't Leave an Employer Match on the Table
Many employers match a portion of 401(k) contributions — commonly something like 50% of contributions up to 6% of salary. That match is effectively an immediate, guaranteed return on the money you contribute, which is why it's usually recommended to contribute at least enough to capture the full match before directing extra savings elsewhere. Include your expected match in the monthly contribution field above to see its combined effect.
Contribution Limits and Vesting
401(k) plans have annual contribution limits set by the IRS that are typically higher than IRA limits, making them a major vehicle for retirement savings. Employer match contributions are sometimes subject to a vesting schedule, meaning you may need to stay with the employer for a period before the matched funds are fully yours — worth checking your plan's specific rules.
Key Terms to Know
- Employer match — money your employer contributes based on your own contribution, often 50-100% up to a percentage of salary.
- Vesting — the schedule by which employer-matched funds become fully yours over time.
- Contribution limit — the maximum amount the IRS allows you to contribute annually, adjusted periodically.
Worked Example: The Value of a Full Employer Match
Say you earn $70,000/year and your employer matches 50% of contributions up to 6% of salary. Contributing 6% ($4,200/year, or $350/month) gets you a $2,100 match — money you'd otherwise leave on the table entirely.
Employer match (50%): $2,100/year
Total annual contribution: $6,300/year
Effective immediate return on your $4,200: 50%
That 50% immediate return from the match alone — before any market growth — is why contributing at least enough to capture the full match is often recommended before directing extra savings anywhere else.
Employer Match Comparison Table
$35,000 start, various contribution levels, 25 years at 7%:
| Monthly Contribution | Future Value |
|---|---|
| $300 (no match) | $296,000 |
| $600 (with match) | $481,000 |
Common Mistakes With 401(k) Contributions
- Contributing below the match threshold — leaves free employer money unclaimed.
- Not increasing contributions with raises — an easy way to boost savings without feeling the pinch.