401k Retirement Calculator

Project your 401k savings growth with employer match, salary increases, and compound returns. Plan your US retirement with confidence.

Calculate Your 401k Growth

The 2024 401k contribution limit is $23,000 ($30,500 if age 50+). Employer match is free money — always contribute at least enough to get the full match.

Current Annual Salary ($)

Your 401k Contribution (% of Salary) IRS limit: $23,000/year (2024). Capped automatically.

Employer Match (% of your contribution) e.g., 50% match = for every $2 you put in, employer adds $1

Match Up To (% of Salary) Employer matches up to this % of your salary (typically 3–6%)

Current 401k Balance ($)

Years Until Retirement

Expected Annual Return (%) Historical S&P 500 avg: ~10% (7% inflation-adjusted)

Annual Salary Growth (%)

What is a 401k?

A 401(k) is a tax-advantaged retirement savings account offered by US employers. Contributions are made pre-tax (Traditional 401k) or after-tax (Roth 401k), reducing your taxable income. The account grows tax-deferred until withdrawal at retirement age (59½+).

2024 401k Contribution Limits

Employee contribution limit: $23,000 per year (up from $22,500 in 2023)
Catch-up contribution (age 50+): Additional $7,500 = $30,500 total
Total limit (including employer match): $69,000 or 100% of compensation
403(b) plans (nonprofits/schools) have the same limits

Traditional vs Roth 401k

Traditional 401k: Pre-tax contributions. Pay taxes on withdrawal. Better if you expect lower tax rate in retirement.
Roth 401k: After-tax contributions. Withdrawals in retirement are tax-free. Better if you expect higher tax rate in retirement.
Many employers offer both options — you can split contributions between them

Employer Match — Never Leave Free Money

Common match: 50% of your contributions up to 6% of salary = 3% of salary free
Some employers match 100% up to 3–6% of salary
Vesting schedule: employer match may vest over 3–6 years
Always contribute at least enough to get the full employer match