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401k Calculator

Calculate your 401k balance at retirement, employer match, and tax savings. Compare traditional vs Roth 401k side by side. See exactly how much free money you're leaving behind. IRS limits.

Age group
Under 50 Age 50–59 Age 60–63 ✨ Age 64+
= $4,500/yr
% of your contribution matched
Employer match up to this % of salary
S&P 500 historical avg ~7% inflation-adj.
⚠️ You're leaving free money behind. Your employer matches up to of your salary, contribute at least that much to get the full match.
Projected Balance at Retirement
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Balance
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at retirement
Employer Match
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free money/yr
Tax Savings
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per year (trad)
Your Contrib.
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per year
📈 401k Balance Projection
Your Total Balance
Your Contributions
Employer Match
Full Breakdown

Traditional 401k reduces your taxable income now. Roth 401k grows tax-free forever. The right choice depends on whether you expect your tax rate to be higher now or in retirement.

Which is better for you?

IRS contribution limits for 2026. Updated each November, bookmark this page.

2026 401k / 403b / 457 Limits
Employee Contribution Limits
Standard limit (under 50)$23,500
Catch-up (age 50–59)+$7,500 = $31,000
Super catch-up (age 60–63) ✨ NEW+$11,250 = $34,750
Catch-up (age 64+)+$7,500 = $31,000
Total Contribution Limits (Employee + Employer)
Total limit (under 50)$70,000
Total limit (50+ with catch-up)$77,500
Total limit (age 60–63)$81,250
IRA Limits (for reference)
Traditional / Roth IRA$7,000
IRA catch-up (50+)+$1,000 = $8,000
SECURE 2.0 Act, Super Catch-Up
Effective for ages 60, 61, 62, 63 only$11,250
Age 64+ reverts to standard catch-up$7,500
Applies to 401k, 403b, SIMPLE IRA✅ Yes
Historical Contribution Limits
2026 limit$23,500
2025 limit$23,500
2024 limit$23,000
2023 limit$22,500
2022 limit$20,500
2021 limit$19,500
2020 limit$19,500
💡

Employer Match Is the Only Guaranteed 50-100% Return in Existence

If your employer matches 50% of contributions up to 6% of salary, contributing 6% gives you an instant 50% return on that money, before a single dollar of investment growth. There is no legal investment in the world that guarantees a 50-100% return. Yet roughly 25% of employees with 401k plans don't contribute enough to capture the full match. If you do nothing else with this calculator, find out your employer match and contribute at least that much today.

CalculatorWizard Team Updated: 2026-03-23
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401k Calculator: Complete Guide ()

A 401k is an employer-sponsored retirement savings plan that lets you contribute pre-tax dollars, reducing your taxable income today while growing tax-deferred until retirement. For most Americans with access to an employer match, the 401k is the single best first step in retirement saving, the employer match is an instant 50–100% return on your contribution, unbeatable by any investment.

💡 Rule #1: Always contribute at least enough to get your full employer match. If your employer matches 100% up to 3% of salary, contributing 3% costs you $X but gives you $2X in your account, a guaranteed 100% return before any investment gains. Not doing this is the equivalent of turning down free salary.

Traditional vs Roth 401k

💡 Pro Tip: Increase your 401k contribution by 1% every time you get a raise. You'll never miss money you never saw in your paycheck, and it accelerates your balance exponentially over time.

Both have identical contribution limits. The difference is when you pay taxes. Traditional 401k: contributions are pre-tax, reducing your income now, you pay taxes when you withdraw in retirement. Roth 401k: contributions are after-tax, no tax break now, but all growth and withdrawals are completely tax-free in retirement.

The simple rule: if you expect to be in a higher tax bracket in retirement than now, choose Roth. If you expect to be in a lower bracket, choose Traditional. If you're young and early in your career (currently in a low bracket), Roth almost always wins because your money has decades to grow tax-free.

2026 Contribution Limits

Age GroupEmployee LimitCatch-UpTotal EmployeeGrand Total (+ Employer)
Under 50$23,500—$23,500$70,000
50–59$23,500+$7,500$31,000$77,500
60–63 ✨$23,500+$11,250$34,750$81,250
64+$23,500+$7,500$31,000$77,500

The age 60–63 "super catch-up" was created by the SECURE 2.0 Act (2022) and took effect in 2025. It allows an additional $3,750 above the standard catch-up for those in the final stretch before the traditional retirement age of 65.

How much should I contribute to my 401k?
The baseline answer: at minimum, contribute enough to get your full employer match, this is free money with a guaranteed 100% return. Beyond that, a common rule of thumb is to save 15% of your gross income for retirement (including employer contributions). For example, if your employer matches 3%, contribute 12% yourself to hit 15% total. If you can't afford 15%, start with the match minimum and increase by 1% each year or each time you get a raise until you reach your target.
What is the 401k contribution limit for 2026?
The 2026 employee contribution limit is $23,500, unchanged from 2025. Workers aged 50–59 and 64+ can contribute an additional $7,500 (catch-up), for a total of $31,000. Workers aged 60–63 benefit from the SECURE 2.0 "super catch-up" of $11,250, allowing a total of $34,750. The overall limit including employer contributions is $70,000 for those under 50 and $77,500–$81,250 for those with catch-up provisions.
How does employer 401k matching work?
Employer matching means your employer adds money to your 401k based on how much you contribute. The most common structure is "100% match up to 3–6% of salary", meaning if you earn $75,000 and contribute 6%, your employer adds another $4,500 (6% × $75,000) for free. Some employers use a partial match, "50% match up to 6%" means they contribute $0.50 for every $1 you put in, up to 6% of salary. Always check your plan documents for the exact match formula. Vesting schedules may apply, you might need to stay 2–4 years before the match is fully yours.
Can I have both a traditional and Roth 401k?
Yes, if your employer's plan offers both options, you can split your contributions between traditional and Roth however you like. The combined total still can't exceed the annual limit ($23,500 for 2026). Many people split contributions to hedge their tax exposure, paying some taxes now (Roth) and deferring some (traditional) to diversify their tax situation in retirement. This strategy is sometimes called "tax diversification."
What happens to my 401k if I leave my job?
You have four options when leaving a job. You can leave the money in your former employer's plan (if allowed and the plan is good). You can roll it over to your new employer's 401k plan. You can roll it over to an IRA (often the best option for investment choice and fees). Or you can cash it out, which triggers income taxes plus a 10% early withdrawal penalty if you're under 59½. Rolling to an IRA preserves all tax benefits and gives you full control over your investments. Direct rollovers (institution to institution) avoid any withholding complications.

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💡 Quick Answers

❓ Should I contribute to a traditional or Roth 401k?
If you're early career with moderate income: Roth 401k (pay taxes now at lower rates, grow tax-free). If you're in peak earning years: traditional 401k (tax deduction now reduces your highest-bracket income). Many advisors suggest a mix, some in each for tax diversification in retirement.
❓ What happens to my 401k if I leave my job?
You can roll it into your new employer's 401k, roll it into an IRA (often the best option (more investment choices), cash it out (costly) income tax plus 10% early withdrawal penalty), or leave it with the old employer if they allow it. Never cash out unless it's a true emergency.
❓ How do I choose funds in my 401k?
Look for index funds with expense ratios below 0.20%. An S&P 500 index fund plus a bond index fund covers most investors' needs. Target-date funds (e.g., '2050 Fund') automatically adjust allocation as you age, a solid default. Avoid actively managed funds with expense ratios above 0.5%.
❓ What is vesting and how does it affect my 401k?
Vesting determines when employer contributions actually become yours. Immediate vesting means you own the match right away. Cliff vesting might require 3 years before you own any match. Graded vesting gradually increases your ownership percentage. Check your vesting schedule before leaving a job, it can be worth waiting.