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401(k) Calculator

What your 401(k) grows to by retirement with your contributions, your employer's match and investment returns, within the 2026 limit of $24,500.

Putting 8% of $75,000 into your 401(k) from age 35, with the match and 6% returns, grows to about $1,324,669 by 67: $315,017 from you, $118,131 from your employer and the rest growth. At a 4% withdrawal rate that's $52,987 a year.

Balance at 67
$1,324,669
You put in
$315,017
Employer match
$118,131
Income at 4% a year
$52,987 a year
401(k) balance from age 35 to 67$0$500k$1M$1.5M0612182430Years━Balance

401(k) at 67 by starting age and contribution rate ($75,000 salary, 50% match up to 6%, 6% return, 3% raises, starting from $0)

Starting age5%10%15%
25$1,518,063$2,631,309$3,630,087
35$727,182$1,260,449$1,745,237
45$316,394$548,416$759,345

How this calculator works

Each year your contribution (a share of salary, capped at $24,500, or $32,500 from age 50 and $35,750 at 60 to 63) and your employer's match are added, and the balance grows at the return you set.

The 4% figure is a common rule of thumb for a first-year withdrawal that has historically lasted 30 years.

What it assumes

  • Limits stay at their 2026 amounts; they rise with inflation.
  • Returns are a steady average; real returns vary year to year.
  • Before tax: traditional 401(k) withdrawals are taxed as income.

Questions people ask

What is the 401(k) limit for 2026?

$24,500, plus a $8,000 catch-up from age 50 ($11,250 at 60 to 63). Employer contributions don't count toward it.

How much should I put in my 401(k)?

At least enough to get the full employer match, which is an instant return. Many planners suggest saving 15% of pay for retirement in all, counting the match.

How much will I have at retirement?

Starting at 35 on $75,000, putting in 10% with a 50% match up to 6% and 6% returns: about $1,260,449 by 67.

Traditional or Roth 401(k)?

Traditional contributions cut tax now and are taxed when withdrawn; Roth contributions are taxed now and come out tax-free. Roth suits people who expect a higher tax rate in retirement.

Related calculators

  • Compound Interest CalculatorWhat money grows to with compound interest, compounded daily, monthly or yearly, with a deposit every month.
  • RMD CalculatorYour required minimum distribution from an IRA or 401(k) this year: last year-end's balance divided by the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table divisor for your age.
  • Social Security CalculatorA rough estimate of your Social Security retirement benefit from your typical earnings, and how much claiming early or late changes it.

Sources

Updated by the RateHerald team. The maths is tested against worked examples; report a problem.

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