Project your 401(k) with employer match, 2026 IRS limits, catch-up contributions, fees, inflation and Roth vs traditional
US 401(k) plans. Amounts are in US dollars. Limits as of 2026.
Enter your age, retirement age, salary, contribution and expected return to see your projection.
This calculator's method was checked against the sources below on .
Projects the balance of a US 401(k) by adding your contributions and any employer match every pay period, growing them at your expected return less fees, and checking each year against the IRS limits for your age. It also shows the result in today's dollars, the effect of fees and vesting, a traditional vs Roth comparison, and a simple illustrative retirement income.
Each pay period: Balance = Balance x (1 + net return)^(1/periods) + (your deferral + employer money) / periods | Net return = return - fees | Today's dollars = Balance / (1 + inflation)^years
Deferralsmaller of what you choose, the IRS limit for your age ($24,500 in 2026 plus catch-up) and your payEmployer moneymatch formula applied to pay up to $360,000, capped so deferrals plus employer money stay within $72,000Net returnexpected annual return minus fund and plan feesAt the very least, contribute enough to get your full employer match, because that is free money on top of your pay. Many planners suggest saving around 15% of pay in total (your contributions plus employer money) over a career, but the right figure depends on your age, savings so far and goals. Try several percentages in the calculator and compare the results.
For 2026 you can defer up to $24,500 of your own pay. If you are 50 or older you can add a $8,000 catch-up (total $32,500). Ages 60, 61, 62 and 63 can add $11,250 instead of the $8,000 (total $35,750). Employee plus employer contributions together are capped at $72,000, not counting catch-up, and a plan can only count pay up to $360,000. Source: IRS Notice 2025-67. Check the IRS site for the latest figures.
Under SECURE 2.0, people who are 60, 61, 62 or 63 during the year can make a higher catch-up of $11,250 in 2026, instead of the regular $8,000. It drops back to the $8,000 catch-up at 64. Your plan must allow catch-up contributions, so check with your plan administrator.
No. The $24,500 limit applies only to what you defer from your own pay. Employer matching and other employer contributions count toward the separate $72,000 total limit (employee plus employer, excluding catch-up). The calculator checks both and caps the contributions if you go over.
Traditional contributions are made before income tax, which lowers your taxes now, and withdrawals are taxed as income later. Roth contributions are made after tax and qualified withdrawals (after age 59½ and at least 5 years) are tax-free. If you expect a higher tax rate in retirement, Roth tends to win; if lower, traditional tends to win. Employer matching money has traditionally gone into the pre-tax account even if you contribute to Roth; some plans now offer a Roth match, so check yours.
Vesting is how much of the employer money is really yours. Your own contributions are always 100% yours. Employer money can vest immediately, all at once after a set number of years (a cliff, for example 3 years), or gradually (for example 20% a year). If you leave before you are fully vested you lose the unvested part. Use the vesting option and the year-by-year table to see what you would keep.
Yes, in many plans. If your Social Security (FICA) wages from your employer in the previous year were above $150,000, your catch-up contributions in 2026 must be made as Roth (after-tax) contributions, and the plan must offer a Roth option for you to make them. Your regular deferrals up to $24,500 can still be pre-tax.
The 4% rule is a rule of thumb that withdrawing about 4% of your balance in the first year of retirement, then adjusting for inflation, has historically lasted about 30 years. It is not a guarantee and does not include taxes, Social Security or changing spending. The calculator shows it only as a simple illustration, and lets you change the rate.