How does employer match work?

Many employers match a percentage of your salary that you contribute, up to a cap. For example, '50% match up to 6% of salary' means if you contribute 6% of salary ($6,000 on $100k), your employer adds $3,000. This tool treats match as a flat dollar amount — enter the total match dollars you expect each year.

What return rate should I use?

The long-term historical return of US stocks is about 7% after inflation (10% nominal). More conservative portfolios or shorter horizons should use lower rates. This tool uses nominal returns — if you want inflation-adjusted numbers, use a lower rate (e.g., 5–7%).

Does this account for taxes or withdrawals?

No. It projects pre-tax accumulation only. 401(k) withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income (Roth 401(k) withdrawals in retirement are generally tax-free). For retirement income planning, also consider required minimum distributions (RMDs) starting at age 73.

US 401(k) Retirement Calculator

Finance· 37 tools

Free US 401(k) retirement calculator. Enter your current age, target retirement age, current balance, annual contribution, employer match, and expected annual return to see a year-by-year projection of your balance, total contributions, total employer match, and compound growth. Uses monthly compounding for accuracy. For Canadian retirement planning, see the RRSP / TFSA calculators.

Current age

Retirement age

Current balance (USD)

Your annual contribution

Employer match (annual)

Expected annual return (%)

Nominal returns (not inflation-adjusted).

2025 401(k) contribution limit is $23,500 ($31,000 age 50+).

Balance at retirement

$2,538,972

in 35 years

Contributions

$445,000

Match

$105,000

Growth

$1,988,972

Age	Balance	Total contributed
31	$42,298	$12,000
33	$80,736	$36,000
36	$149,454	$72,000
39	$234,178	$108,000
42	$338,637	$144,000
45	$467,427	$180,000
48	$626,215	$216,000
51	$821,989	$252,000
54	$1,063,364	$288,000
57	$1,360,961	$324,000
60	$1,727,876	$360,000
63	$2,180,255	$396,000
65	$2,538,972	$420,000

Disclaimer: For informational purposes only. This is not financial, tax, or legal advice — consult a licensed professional before making decisions.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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