401(k) Calculator
A 401(k) grows from three sources: what you put in, what your employer adds, and investment returns on both. Enter your details to see the balance at retirement and how much comes from each.
Enter your figures below. Results update as you type.
Balance at 65$1,780,080.11
- Your contributions 20%
- Employer match 7%
- Investment growth 73%
- Your contributions
- $338,587.66
- Employer match
- $126,970.37
- Investment growth
- $1,294,522.08
- First-year contribution, with match
- $7,700.00
- Yearly income at a 4% withdrawal rate
- $71,203.20
- Balance
How the 401(k) calculation works
Each year: balance x (1 + return) + your contribution + employer match
A 30-year-old earning $70,000 who contributes 8%, with a 50% match on the first 6%, a $20,000 balance, 7% returns and 3% raises reaches about $1,780,000 at 65. Of that, $338,588 is their own contributions, $126,970 is the match and nearly $1.3 million is growth.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I contribute to my 401(k)?
At least enough to collect the full employer match, since that is an immediate return on your money. A common overall target is 15% of pay including the match.
How does a 401(k) employer match work?
The employer adds money in proportion to what you contribute, up to a limit. A 50% match on the first 6% of pay means contributing 6% of a $70,000 salary ($4,200) earns $2,100 from the employer.
What is the 401(k) contribution limit?
The IRS sets it each year. For 2026 employees can contribute up to $24,500, with extra catch-up contributions allowed from age 50.
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