Retirement savings planner

Free 401k Calculator

A 401k calculator estimates how your salary contributions, employer match, investment returns, and raises can grow into a projected retirement balance.

Projected balance

$1,722,925

Estimated account value at retirement.

Employee savings

$404,391

Your estimated salary deferrals.

Employer match

$121,317

Estimated employer match over time.

Projection inputs

Adjust the assumptions to model contribution and match outcomes.

Contribution snapshot

First-year contribution assumptions.

Years to retirement30
First-year employee contribution$8,500.00
First-year employer match$2,550.00
Total contributions$525,708.34
Investment growth$1,172,217.02

Final years preview

The last six projection years show salary, contributions, match, and balance.

AgeSalaryEmployeeMatchBalance
60$172,788$17,279$5,184$1,121,072
61$177,971$17,797$5,339$1,224,303
62$183,310$18,331$5,499$1,335,503
63$188,810$18,881$5,664$1,455,252
64$194,474$19,447$5,834$1,584,171
65$200,308$20,031$6,009$1,722,925

Match value

Employer match can be a large part of total retirement savings. Modeling the match cap helps estimate how much free money is added each year.

Limit check

The calculator caps employee contributions at the annual limit you enter, which makes high-income or high-savings scenarios easier to compare.

Family finance context

Retirement savings can sit beside family loans, debt payoff, and emergency fund decisions. Use the estimate as a planning input, not a guarantee.

Frequently asked questions

What is a 401k calculator?

A 401k calculator estimates how salary contributions, employer match, investment returns, raises, and time can grow a retirement account balance.

How much should I contribute to my 401k?

A common starting point is contributing enough to receive the full employer match, then increasing the rate as income and budget allow.

Does employer match count toward my 401k contribution?

Employer match adds to your retirement balance, but it is separate from the employee elective deferral limit used by this calculator.

What return should I use for a 401k projection?

Use a conservative long-term annual return assumption that matches your portfolio risk. Many projections test several rates instead of relying on one number.

Does this calculator include taxes or required withdrawals?

No. It estimates pre-tax account growth before retirement taxes, Roth treatment, fees, inflation, and required minimum distributions.