401(k) Calculator
Model employee deferrals and your employer’s matching formula, then separate contributed capital from hypothetical growth.
Rule year: 2026 · USD · Sources checked
Projected 401(k) balance
Eligible salary up to the 2026 compensation limit. Catch-up uses the age reached in 2026 and assumes the plan permits it. No vesting loss, fees, withdrawals, Roth catch-up treatment or future limit changes. Matching is assumed to apply to all entered eligible deferrals; actual plan terms may differ.
Employee deposits and employer matching over time
End-of-month contributions, constant salary and hypothetical effective annual return. Vesting and future contribution-limit changes are not modelled.
| Year | Contributed capital | Projected balance |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | $10,000.00 | $10,000.00 |
| 1 | $17,200.00 | $17,863.55 |
| 2 | $24,400.00 | $26,120.27 |
| 3 | $31,600.00 | $34,789.83 |
| 4 | $38,800.00 | $43,892.87 |
| 5 | $46,000.00 | $53,451.06 |
| 6 | $53,200.00 | $63,487.16 |
| 7 | $60,400.00 | $74,025.06 |
| 8 | $67,600.00 | $85,089.86 |
| 9 | $74,800.00 | $96,707.90 |
| 10 | $82,000.00 | $108,906.84 |
| 11 | $89,200.00 | $121,715.73 |
| 12 | $96,400.00 | $135,165.06 |
| 13 | $103,600.00 | $149,286.86 |
| 14 | $110,800.00 | $164,114.75 |
| 15 | $118,000.00 | $179,684.04 |
| 16 | $125,200.00 | $196,031.79 |
| 17 | $132,400.00 | $213,196.92 |
| 18 | $139,600.00 | $231,220.32 |
| 19 | $146,800.00 | $250,144.88 |
| 20 | $154,000.00 | $270,015.67 |
For informational purposes only. This estimate is not financial advice, a tax return, a payroll calculation or a lender decision. See the supported circumstances and exclusions below.
How this calculator works
A 50% match up to 6% of salary contributes half of your deferrals within that salary slice; it does not mean the employer contributes 50% of your salary. Current-year checks distinguish the regular employee deferral limit, age-related catch-up and the combined employee/employer limit. The projection holds salary, deferrals and matching constant and deposits one twelfth at each month end. Future eligibility, vesting and tax treatment must be checked with the plan.
Formula and rules
Employee = salary × deferral %. Employer match = min(employee, salary × match cap %) × match rate %. Project monthly end-of-month deposits at the effective monthly return implied by the entered annual rate.
Assumptions and limitations
Eligible salary up to the 2026 compensation limit. Catch-up uses the age reached in 2026 and assumes the plan permits it. No vesting loss, fees, withdrawals, Roth catch-up treatment or future limit changes. Matching is assumed to apply to all entered eligible deferrals; actual plan terms may differ.
Worked example
At $80,000 salary with a 6% employee deferral and a 50% match on the first 6%, annual employee deposits are $4,800 and the match is $2,400. At 0% return and zero opening balance, one year finishes at $7,200.
- Projected 401(k) balance
- $7,200.00
- Annual employee contribution
- $4,800.00
- Annual employer match
- $2,400.00
- 2026 employee deferral limit reference
- $24,500.00
Official sources and review
Reviewed against the sources below on 2026-10-06. Rates are held in versioned rule modules. Versioned rules, official source review and year-specific calculation tests.
- IRS: 2026 retirement contribution limits ↗
2026 employee 401(k), catch-up, IRA limits and Roth income phase-out ranges.
- IRS: Retirement plan dollar limitations ↗
2026 $72,000 defined-contribution limit and $360,000 compensation limit; catch-up is separate.
Common questions
How does a capped match work?
Only the employee contribution within the selected salary percentage is matched. Check whether your employer uses this formula, true-up provisions and vesting rules.
Are catch-up limits included?
The current-year reference includes ordinary age-50 catch-up and the higher age-60-to-63 limit. It does not establish that your plan permits a contribution or determine its Roth tax treatment.
Is the projected balance spendable after tax?
No. It is an account-balance projection, with no withdrawal tax calculation or investment forecast.