✓ Updated for 2025 & 2026 IRS figures · June 2026

401(k) Calculator — Growth, Match & Tax Savings

Project your 401(k) balance at retirement, see what your employer match is really worth, and check your contributions against the IRS limits — $24,500 for 2026, with catch-up contributions from age 50.

2025 and 2026 contribution limits

Limit	2025	2026
Employee contribution (under 50)	$23,500	$24,500
Catch-up (age 50+)	+$7,500	+$8,000
Enhanced catch-up (ages 60–63)	+$11,250	+$11,250
IRA contribution	$7,000 (+$1,000 catch-up)	$7,500 (+$1,100 catch-up)

Note for high earners: starting in 2026, if your prior-year FICA wages exceeded $150,000 (indexed), age-based catch-up contributions must be made as Roth.

The employer match: the only guaranteed 50–100% return in finance

A typical plan matches 50% of your contributions up to 6% of salary. On a $75,000 salary, contributing 6% ($4,500) earns a free $2,250 every year. Failing to contribute at least to the match cap is leaving part of your compensation unclaimed — before counting decades of compound growth on it.

Why starting early beats contributing more

At a 7% average return, money doubles roughly every 10 years. A dollar invested at 25 doubles four times by 65 (16×); the same dollar at 45 doubles twice (4×). Concretely: $500/month from 25 to 65 grows to about $1.2 million; the same $500/month from 35 reaches only about $570,000. The decade you wait costs more than every dollar you contribute later.

Traditional vs. Roth 401(k)

Traditional contributions skip tax now and are taxed at withdrawal; Roth contributions are taxed now and withdrawn tax-free. Rule of thumb: choose traditional if your current marginal bracket (see the income tax calculator) is higher than the rate you expect in retirement; choose Roth if you're early-career in the 10–12% brackets. Many savers split the difference — and employer matching dollars are always pre-tax regardless.

This calculator shows the federal tax saved by this year's traditional contribution at your marginal rate — the "discount" the IRS gives you for saving.

Assumptions in this projection

Contributions are invested at year-end and grow at your chosen constant return; salary grows at the rate you set; limits use the year selected and add catch-up automatically from age 50 (with the 60–63 enhanced amount). Real markets fluctuate around the average, and IRS limits rise most years — treat results as a planning estimate, not a guarantee.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the 401(k) contribution limit for 2026?

$24,500 for employee deferrals, plus an $8,000 catch-up from age 50, and an enhanced $11,250 catch-up for ages 60–63. The 2025 limits were $23,500 and $7,500.

How much should I contribute to my 401(k)?

At minimum, enough to capture the full employer match — that part is an immediate 50–100% return. A common target for a comfortable retirement is 15% of income including the match, built up gradually with each raise.

How much will my 401(k) be worth in 30 years?

Depends on contributions and returns. Contributing $750/month at a 7% average return grows to roughly $850,000 in 30 years. Use the calculator above with your own salary, match, and starting balance for a personalized projection.

Does my employer match count against my contribution limit?

No. The $24,500 (2026) limit applies to your own deferrals. Employer contributions sit under a separate combined limit of $72,000 for 2026.

Is a 7% return assumption realistic?

It's in line with the long-run average for a diversified stock-heavy portfolio after fees and before inflation. Conservative planners use 5–6%; in inflation-adjusted terms many use 4–5%. Try several rates to see the range.