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Finance

401(k) Retirement Calculator

  • Browser-based
  • No signup

This 401(k) retirement calculator projects account growth from your deferrals, employer match, and expected returns. Enter current balance, contribution rate, match details, and years to retirement to plan workplace savings.

Employer match is often the highest guaranteed return available—contribute at least enough to capture the full match before taxable investing elsewhere.

401(k) projections ignore early withdrawal penalties and required minimum distributions—plan withdrawals separately near retirement.

100% Client-Side

Your data never leaves your computer.

How to use this tool

Enter current 401(k) balance, monthly contribution (include match if applicable), expected return, and years until retirement.

Worked example

Example: $30,000 in a 401(k) with $400/month deferral plus 50% employer match on the first 6% projects significantly higher balance than contributions alone over 20 years.

When to use this

  • Open enrollment contribution decisions.
  • Evaluating whether to increase deferral percentage.
  • Rough projection before meeting a financial planner.

Common examples

  • Age 35 with $80,000 saved, $600/month contributions, 7% return to age 65 → projects a balance often in the mid-$800,000s depending on compounding assumptions.
  • Age 50 with $250,000 saved, $1,200/month, 6% to age 67 → models catch-up contributions before Social Security eligibility.
  • Late start: age 45 with $40,000 saved, $900/month, 7% to age 65 → shows how doubling contributions partially offsets a shorter runway.
  • Age 28 with $15,000 saved, $400/month, 7% to age 65 → long runway shows power of early contributions.
  • Age 55 with $400,000 saved, $2,000/month, 5% to age 67 → catch-up planning before Social Security.

What people search for

  • retirement calculator
  • 401k growth projection
  • retirement savings estimator
  • how much to retire
  • retirement nest egg calculator

Common mistakes

  • Forgetting vesting schedules on employer contributions.
  • Using pre-tax balance without planning for withdrawal taxes.
  • Assuming max contribution limits never change.

Related long-tail tasks

  • compare 6% vs 10% deferral growth
  • see match impact on retirement balance
  • calculate Roth 401k vs traditional

How it works

Enter your current age, retirement age, current savings, monthly contribution, and expected annual return. The calculator compounds monthly and assumes contributions are made at the end of each month. Estimated withdrawals use a simple 4% annual rule for illustration only. Inflation, taxes, fees, and contribution changes are not modeled.

Limitations

Projects savings using constant return and contribution assumptions. Market volatility, taxes, and Social Security are simplified.

Privacy and file handling

Your data is processed in your browser and is not uploaded to our server.

Accuracy & methodology

This section documents how the calculator works, what it leaves out, and when results were last reviewed. Figures are educational estimates—not professional advice—and are not labeled "current" unless tied to automatically updated reference data.

Formula source or methodology
Projects nest egg from current savings, monthly contributions, expected return, and years until retirement using periodic compounding.
Jurisdiction
United States (generic accumulation model)
Unit system
US dollars; percent; years
Rounding method
Currency amounts round to two decimal places (half up via Math.round × 100 / 100).
Assumptions
  • Constant average return
  • Fixed monthly savings until retirement
  • No withdrawals before retirement age
Known omissions
  • Not tax, legal, investment, or lending advice. Confirm material decisions with qualified professionals.
  • 2026 IRS contribution limits ($23,500 elective deferral; $7,500 catch-up age 50+; $70,000 combined annual additions under §415(c)) — limits are not enforced in the model
  • Employer match annual caps, true-up provisions, and vesting schedules
  • Plan administrative fees and fund expense ratios
  • Inflation adjustment of future dollars (nominal dollars only unless stated)
  • Income tax on withdrawals (pre-tax vs Roth treatment)
  • Required minimum distributions (RMDs) and early withdrawal penalties
Test cases (automated)
  • Positive savings and horizon produce a projected balance
  • Zero years to retirement is rejected
Version & last verified

Logic version 1.0. Content and formulas last verified .

Important notice

Results are estimates for educational purposes and are not financial advice. Investment returns, inflation, taxes, and fees are simplified or omitted. Consult a qualified financial professional for personal guidance.

Related Retirement Calculator guides

These pages use the same retirement calculator with guides tailored to specific search intents.

Frequently asked questions

Should I include employer match?

Yes, if you receive it. Add match dollars to monthly contributions for a realistic projection.

Does this account for contribution limits?

Enter amounts you actually contribute. IRS limits change annually—verify current caps.

Roth vs traditional 401(k)?

This tool projects balance growth. Tax treatment at withdrawal differs—consult a tax professional for strategy.

Related tools

Related pages

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