401(k) Calculator — Project Your Retirement Savings

A 401(k) calculator projects how much your retirement savings could grow by combining your contributions, your employer's match, and compound investment returns over time. Enter your salary, contribution rate, expected return, and years until retirement to see your estimated balance.

Advisors generally suggest contributing at least enough to capture your full employer match — it's effectively free money — and aiming for 10–15% of income overall. Starting early matters most: $6,000/year from age 25 at 7% grows to about $1.2 million by 65, versus roughly $567,000 if you start at 35.

Current Age

Retirement Age

Current 401(k) Balance ($)

Annual Salary ($)

Your Annual Contribution ($)

Employer Match (%)

Match Up To (% of salary)

Expected Annual Return (%)

Enter your details to see your projected 401(k) balance

Frequently Asked Questions

How does employer matching work?

Many employers match a percentage of your 401(k) contributions up to a limit. For example, a 50% match on contributions up to 6% of salary means if you earn $75,000 and contribute $4,500 (6%), your employer adds $2,250. This is essentially free money.

What is a good 401(k) contribution rate?

Financial advisors generally recommend contributing at least enough to get your full employer match. Beyond that, 10-15% of income (including employer match) is a common target. The 2024 employee contribution limit is $23,000 ($30,500 for those 50+).

What return rate should I use?

The historical average annual return of the S&P 500 is roughly 10% before inflation, or 7% after inflation. Using 7% is a reasonable conservative estimate for long-term planning.

How does compound interest help?

Compound interest means your earnings generate their own earnings over time. Starting early is critical — investing $6,000/year from age 25 to 65 at 7% yields about $1.2 million, while starting at 35 yields only about $567,000.