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401(k) Calculator

Estimate what your 401(k) could be worth at retirement — and exactly how much comes from your employer's match versus investment growth.

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$
At retirement: $0
Your total contributions
$0
Employer match (free money)
$0
Investment growth
$0

Assumes a constant salary and return for simplicity. Real returns vary year to year, and annual IRS contribution limits apply.

How the 401(k) calculator works

A 401(k) is a tax-advantaged retirement account offered through your employer. This calculator grows your current balance, your monthly contributions, and your employer's match at your assumed return until retirement age, using monthly compounding.

Capture the full match first

The most important move is contributing at least enough to earn your full employer match. If your employer matches 50% up to 6% of salary, contributing 6% instantly adds another 3% of salary to your account — a guaranteed return you can't easily beat elsewhere.

Ways to grow your number

  • Start early. Time is the most powerful force in compounding.
  • Raise your contribution gradually — bump it 1% with each raise.
  • Watch fees. High fund fees quietly erode decades of growth.

See the underlying compounding with the Compound Interest Calculator and the bigger picture with the Retirement Savings Calculator. Choosing account types? Read Roth vs. Traditional IRA. Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal; this is educational information, not investment advice.

Frequently asked questions

How much should I contribute to my 401(k)?
A good first target is to contribute at least enough to earn your full employer match — that's free money. Many people work toward 10–15% of salary over time, within the annual IRS contribution limits.
What is an employer match?
It's money your employer adds based on what you contribute — for example, '50% of your contributions up to 6% of salary.' Always contribute enough to capture the full match; it's an immediate return on that portion of your savings.
What return should I assume?
Use a conservative long-term average for a diversified portfolio, and remember returns are volatile and not guaranteed. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal.

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