401(k) Calculator
Project your 401(k) balance at retirement from your current balance, annual contributions, employer match, and expected returns — with the employer match value shown separately.
Enter your current 401(k) balance, how much you contribute each year, your employer's match percentage, and your expected annual return. The calculator compounds everything to your retirement date and breaks out how much of the final balance came from the employer match — the free money too many people leave on the table.
How to use this calculator
- Enter your current 401(k) balance (0 if just starting).
- Enter your annual employee contribution and your employer's match percentage.
- Enter years until retirement and your expected annual return.
- Click Calculate to see your projected balance, with the employer match value broken out separately.
The formula
FV = balance×(1+r)^n + contribution×((1+r)^n−1)/r, applied separately to your money and the employer match
Worked example
With a $50,000 balance, $10,000 contributed yearly, a 50% employer match, and 7% returns over 10 years, the calculator projects $305,604.29 — $236,522.05 from your money and $69,082.24 from the employer match.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the employer match work in this calculator?
Enter the match as a percentage of your own contribution — for example, 50 means your employer adds 50 cents for every dollar you contribute. Many plans match 50% up to 6% of salary or 100% up to 3–5%; check your plan documents. The calculator compounds the match alongside your money, so you can see exactly how much the match is worth at retirement.
What return rate should I assume?
A common long-term planning assumption for a stock-heavy 401(k) is 7% nominal (before inflation), roughly the historical average of the U.S. stock market. More conservative portfolios might use 5–6%. Remember this is a projection, not a promise — run the numbers at a lower rate too, to see your downside case.
Are 401(k) withdrawals taxed?
Yes — traditional 401(k) contributions are pre-tax, so withdrawals in retirement are taxed as ordinary income. Roth 401(k) contributions are after-tax, so qualified withdrawals are tax-free. This calculator shows the pre-tax balance; your spendable amount depends on which type you hold and your tax rate in retirement.
Should I contribute enough to get the full match?
Almost always yes. An employer match is an instant 50–100% return on your contribution, which no investment can reliably beat. If cash is tight, prioritize contributing at least enough to capture the full match before investing anywhere else.
Does this include fees?
No. 401(k) plans charge expense ratios and sometimes administrative fees, typically 0.2–1% per year, which drag on returns. You can approximate their effect by lowering the expected return input by your plan's total fee percentage.