401(k) Retirement Calculator 2026
Project your 401(k) growth with employer matching. 2026 contribution limit: $24,000 ($31,500 with catch-up). See year-by-year projections.
Last updated: · IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32 (contribution limits). Growth uses compound interest formula.
Contributing $20,000/year from age 30 to 65 with a 50% employer match (up to 6% of salary), at 7% average return, your 401(k) could grow to approximately $3,713,277 at retirement. Your contributions: $700,000; employer match: $105,000; growth: $2,858,277. 2026 contribution limit: $24,000 (50+: +$7,500).
S&P 500 historical average: ~10% (before inflation), ~7% (after).
Results
Roth vs Traditional 401(k)
Roth may be better: your expected retirement rate (22%) is equal to or higher than your current marginal rate (22%). Paying tax now at a lower rate and withdrawing tax-free could save $816,921.
Growth Projection (every 5 years)
| Age | Balance | Growth |
|---|---|---|
| 35 | $202,395 | $11,736 |
| 40 | $416,136 | $25,719 |
| 45 | $715,919 | $45,331 |
| 50 | $1,136,381 | $72,838 |
| 55 | $1,726,099 | $111,418 |
| 60 | $2,553,211 | $165,528 |
| 65 | $3,713,277 | $241,420 |
How This Is Calculated
This calculator uses standard compound growth with annual contributions and employer matching:
Each year: Balance = (Previous Balance × (1 + Return Rate)) + Your Contribution + Employer MatchIRS contribution limits (IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32)
- Employee elective deferral: $24,000
- Catch-up (age 50+): +$7,500
- Total combined limit: $72,000
- IRA limit: $7,000 (+$1,000 catch-up)
The expected return rate is a user assumption. Historical S&P 500 average: ~10% before inflation, ~7% after inflation. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the 401(k) contribution limit for 2026?
- The 2026 401(k) employee elective deferral limit is $24,000. If you're age 50 or older, you can contribute an additional $7,500 in catch-up contributions, for a total of $31,500. The total limit including employer contributions is $72,000. Source: IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32.
- How does employer 401(k) matching work?
- A common employer match is 50% of your contributions up to 6% of your salary. So if you earn $100,000 and contribute 6% ($6,000), your employer adds $3,000 (50% of $6,000). This is free money — always contribute at least enough to get the full match. Match formulas vary by employer; check your plan documents.
- How much should I have in my 401(k) by age?
- Common benchmarks: 1× salary by 30, 3× by 40, 6× by 50, 8× by 60, and 10× by 67. These are rough guidelines from financial planning firms. Your actual needs depend on desired retirement lifestyle, Social Security benefits, other savings, and expected retirement age. Use this calculator to model your specific situation.
- Should I choose Traditional or Roth 401(k)?
- Traditional 401(k): Contributions are pre-tax (reduces current taxable income), but withdrawals in retirement are taxed as income. Roth 401(k): Contributions are after-tax (no current tax benefit), but withdrawals in retirement are tax-free. Choose Traditional if you expect a lower tax rate in retirement; choose Roth if you expect a higher rate or want tax-free income in retirement.