401(k) Calculator – Plan, Grow & Maximize Your Retirement
Saving for retirement doesn’t need to be confusing. A 401(k) is one of the most powerful tools available to employees in the United States, yet most people aren’t sure how much their balance will grow or how employer matching really works. That’s where a 401(k) calculator comes in.
With just a few numbers — your salary, age, contribution rate, and employer match — you can instantly see your projected retirement balance and even estimate how much monthly income you could live on after you stop working.
Projected Balance at 65
$842500
Employer Match (Year 1)
$2400
Quick Answer (What You Need Right Away):
Use our free 401(k) calculators to project your balance, estimate monthly retirement income, and see how much your employer’s match could add. Enter your current salary and contribution, and you’ll get results in seconds — no spreadsheets required.
All Calculator in One Place
We’ve built this withdrawal calculator with clarity, education, and simplicity in mind, so even if you’re new to financial planning, you’ll walk away with complete confidence.
Basic 401k Calculator
For beginners. Enter your age, salary, and contribution rate to see your balance at retirement.
Employer Match Estimator
See how much extra money your company contributes, and why it’s free money you don’t want to miss.
401k Growth (Advanced)
Add salary increases, annual raises, and contribution boosts to model more complex scenarios.
Retirement Income (Withdrawal)
Convert your balance into a steady monthly income in retirement.
Basic 401(k) Calculator
Project your 401(k) balance with annual compounding and employer match.
Years until retirement:
35
Projected Balance
$1,418,225
Year 1 Employee Contrib
$4,800
Year 1 Employer Match
$2,400
Employer Match Estimator
See how much your employer might add based on your current salary and contribution.
Your Contribution (Year 1)
$3,600
Employer Match (Year 1)
$2,400
Total into 401(k)
$6,000
401(k) Growth (Advanced)
Model salary growth, rising contributions, and compounding over time.
Projected Balance
Even a small yearly increase in your contribution rate can dramatically boost your final balance due to compounding.
Retirement Income (Withdrawal)
Estimate a steady monthly income from your 401(k) using an annuity-style model.
Estimated Monthly Income
This is a simplified estimate and ignores tax effects. Consider consulting a fiduciary advisor.
What Is a 401(k)?
A 401(k) is a retirement savings plan offered by many employers in the United States. It allows employees to save and invest a portion of their paycheck before taxes are taken out. Taxes aren’t paid until the money is withdrawn from the account.
There are two common types:
Traditional 401(k)
Contributions are pre-tax.
Roth 401(k)
Contributions are after-tax.
401(k) Basics – How Does It Work?
If you’re new to 401(k)s, here’s the simple version:
- You contribute part of your paycheck before taxes (traditional) or after taxes (Roth).
- Your employer may match a portion of your contribution (often 3–6%).
- Your money grows tax-deferred through investments like mutual funds.
- Compounding means your balance grows faster over time, since your earnings also earn money.
Example: If you contribute $5,000 a year and earn a 6.5% return, in 30 years that could grow into more than $400,000 — even before considering employer matches.
Calculate Your Retirement Savings with Our Tools
Basic 401(k) Calculator (Starter-Friendly)
his is perfect if you’re just starting out. You only need:
- Age now
- Retirement age
- Salary
- Contribution %
- Current balance
- Expected return
Example: A 30-year-old making $60,000, contributing 8%, with a $15,000 balance, and a 100% employer match (up to 4%) could retire with about $1.4 million by age 65.
Employer Match Estimator (Don’t Miss Free Money)
If your company matches your contributions, it’s like a guaranteed raise.
Example: On a $60,000 salary, contributing 6% ($3,600), if your employer matches 100% up to 4%, that’s another $2,400 a year. Over 35 years, that match alone could grow into hundreds of thousands of dollars thanks to compounding.
401(k) Growth Calculator (Advanced Users)
Want to go beyond the basics? This tool lets you factor in:
- Annual raises
- Increasing contributions each year
- Higher or lower employer match rates
Example: Someone earning $70,000, contributing 10%, getting 3% annual raises, and boosting contributions by 1% per year could see their balance reach $1.57 million in 25 years.
Quick Tip: Even a small yearly increase in your contribution (like 1%) can dramatically boost your final balance.
Retirement Income Calculator (Withdrawals)
Eventually, you’ll stop contributing and start withdrawing. This tool helps answer: “How much monthly income can I expect in retirement?”
Example: With an $800,000 balance, a 4% expected return, and 30 years of retirement, you’d get about $3,800/month.
This makes it easy to see if your savings will cover your lifestyle — and whether you need to save more or adjust expectations.
Guides & Learning
Short, Helpful explainer that keep users on-page longer.
Basic 401k Growth Works
Employee Match: Dont Leave Money Behind
401(k) vs IRA: Which Fits you
Common 401(k) Scenarios & Calculators
- Early Withdrawals: Use a 401(k) early withdrawal or penalty calculator to see how much you’d lose if you cash out before 59½. Taxes + 10% penalty can take a big bite.
- After Retirement: Estimate monthly income using both your 401(k) and Social Security.
- Maxing Out Contributions: The 2025 IRS 401(k) contribution limit is $23,000 (with extra “catch-up” contributions if you’re over 50). Use the calculator to see how maxing out affects your balance.
- Salary-Based Savings: A 5% contribution on $50k vs. a 10% contribution makes a huge difference over 30 years — often hundreds of thousands of dollars.
|
Annual Salary
|
Contribution %
|
Employer Match %
|
Balance at 65 (est.)
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
$50000
|
5%
|
3%
|
$750,000
|
|
$50,000
|
10%
|
5%
|
$1,200,000
|
|
$70,000
|
10%
|
6%
|
$1,600,000
|
Pros and Cons of a 401(k) Plan
|
Pros
|
Cons
|
|---|---|
|
Tax-deferred contributions
|
Early withdrawal penalty (10%)
|
|
Employer match (free money)
|
Limited investment options
|
|
Higher contribution limits than IRAs
|
Required minimum distributions (RMDs)
|
|
Automatic payroll deductions
|
Potential hidden fees & expenses
|
|
Compound growth over time
|
Subject to market risk & fluctuations
|
FAQs – 401(k) Calculator & Retirement Planning
Use a 401(k) growth calculator — just enter your salary, contribution %, employer match, and expected return. It will project your balance over time.
That depends on your salary, savings rate, and investment returns. On average, contributing 10–15% of your salary can help you retire with 8–12 times your annual income.
A common guideline: 2–3x your salary by age 40. But it varies by lifestyle and retirement goals.
Yes — many calculators (including ours) allow you to factor in Social Security for a more accurate income estimate.
Withdrawals before 59½ typically face a 10% penalty plus income taxes.
A Roth IRA is funded with after-tax dollars, while a traditional 401(k) uses pre-tax dollars. Many savers use both for tax diversification.
You should still contribute — your money will still grow tax-deferred. But prioritize employers who do offer matching when possible.
Most experts recommend at least 10–15% of your salary. Use the calculator to test different rates.
