See how big your 401(k) can grow with employer match, IRS limits, salary growth and tax-deferred compounding.
Project your 401(k) balance at retirement in the United States. Models employee elective deferrals capped at the IRS limit ($23,500 in 2025, plus a $7,500 catch-up contribution at age 50+), employer match formulas, annual salary growth and tax-deferred compounding returns.
Use this 401(k) calculator to project how big your US retirement account can grow with employer match, IRS contribution limits and tax-deferred compounding. Built around the 2025 IRS limits ($23,500 employee deferral plus a $7,500 catch-up contribution at age 50+), the calculator models annual salary raises, the classic 100%-on-the-first-6% employer match formula and long-term US stock market returns. See exactly what percent of your salary you should be contributing to fully capture your employer match — the closest thing to free money in personal finance.
Annual contribution = min(salary × employee%, IRS limit) + min(salary × match%, salary × match cap) Balance = Σ contributions × (1 + r)^(years remaining)
A 30-year-old earning $80,000/year who contributes 10% ($8,000) and gets a 100% match on the first 6% ($4,800) puts $12,800 into the 401(k) every year. Assuming 3% annual raises and a 7% return, by age 65 the balance reaches roughly $1.45 million. Of that, $568K is from employee deferrals, $341K from the employer match (free money), and the remaining $541K is investment growth — the power of tax-deferred compounding.
For 2025, the IRS limits employee elective deferrals to $23,500. Workers aged 50+ can add a catch-up contribution of $7,500, bringing their personal limit to $31,000. Employer match contributions are separate and don't count toward this employee limit.
Most employers match a portion of your contributions up to a salary cap. A 100% match on the first 6% of salary means: contribute 6% and your employer adds another 6% — that's an instant 100% return on those dollars. Always contribute at least enough to capture the full match.
Long-term U.S. equity returns have averaged about 10% nominal (7% real, after inflation). A balanced 60/40 portfolio averages closer to 7–8% nominal. Use a conservative 6–8% when planning — actual returns vary year to year.
Traditional reduces taxes today (contributions are pre-tax), but withdrawals in retirement are taxed. Roth pays taxes today, then grows tax-free with tax-free withdrawals. This calculator shows the gross balance — same for both. The choice depends on your current vs expected future tax bracket.
No. The balance shown is gross (pre-tax for Traditional). Withdrawals from Traditional 401(k)s are taxed as ordinary income. Employer match dollars often vest over 3–6 years; you forfeit unvested amounts if you leave early — check your plan documents.
Required Minimum Distributions begin at age 73 (rising to 75 in 2033). Withdrawals before age 59½ usually trigger a 10% penalty plus income tax. Plan to leave the balance untouched until at least 59½ for the math to work.
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