401(k) Contribution Calculator
See your annual contributions, employer match, paycheck impact, and projected balance at retirement.
This year's contributions
Going into your 401(k) each year (you + employer)
$9,900
You contribute $7,200 ($277 per paycheck, costing about $216 of take-home after the tax break) and your employer adds $2,700.
- Your annual contribution
- $7,200
- Employer match
- $2,700
- Estimated tax savings this year
- $1,584
- Projected balance at 65
- $778,408
Projected balance to age 65
View data table
| Balance | |
|---|---|
| Age 45 | $120K |
| Age 46 | $138K |
| Age 47 | $156K |
| Age 48 | $176K |
| Age 49 | $197K |
| Age 50 | $219K |
| Age 51 | $243K |
| Age 52 | $268K |
| Age 53 | $295K |
| Age 54 | $323K |
| Age 55 | $354K |
| Age 56 | $386K |
| Age 57 | $419K |
| Age 58 | $456K |
| Age 59 | $494K |
| Age 60 | $534K |
| Age 61 | $578K |
| Age 62 | $623K |
| Age 63 | $672K |
| Age 64 | $724K |
| Age 65 | $778K |
What this may mean for you
The 2026 employee limit is $24,500, plus $8,000 catch-up from age 50 and $11,250 at ages 60–63. If a raise arrives, bumping your percentage by one point before you get used to the money is the painless way up.
Results are estimates for educational purposes and may not reflect your complete financial or tax situation.
Understanding this calculator
Two numbers do most of the work in a 401(k): your contribution percentage and your employer's match formula. The match is the closest thing to free money in personal finance — contributing below the match limit leaves part of your compensation on the table every payday, and this calculator will show you exactly how much.
The paycheck impact is usually smaller than people fear. Traditional contributions come out before income tax, so a $500 contribution might only shrink take-home pay by $380 or so, depending on your bracket. If you're 50 or older the limits rise, and at ages 60–63 the SECURE 2.0 "super catch-up" raises them further.
Assumptions and methodology
- 2026 IRS limits: $24,500 employee deferral; catch-up $8,000 at 50+; $11,250 at ages 60–63 (IR-2025-111).
- Employer match modeled as a single tier: match rate applied to your contribution up to a percent of salary.
- Take-home impact = contribution minus estimated tax savings at the marginal rate you select; FICA still applies to deferrals.
- Projection compounds monthly at your chosen return until your retirement age; salary growth and limit inflation are not modeled.
- High earners: the 2026 rule requiring catch-ups to be Roth for prior-year FICA wages over $145k (indexed) isn't modeled.
Official sources
Last reviewed August 30, 2026. Year-specific figures show their tax or data year in the tool; data is reviewed when the IRS, SSA, and CMS publish annual updates.
Common questions
How much should I contribute?
At minimum, enough to capture the full employer match. Beyond that, 10–15% of pay including the match is a common lifetime guideline — more if you started late.
Traditional or Roth 401(k)?
Same logic as the IRA question — compare today's rate with your expected retirement rate. Our Traditional vs. Roth calculator walks through it.
Keep going
- Savings ProjectionProject how your current savings and monthly contributions could grow between now and retirement.Calculator
- Income After TaxesEstimate your take-home pay after federal, state, and payroll taxes — by year, month, and paycheck.Calculator
- Traditional vs. RothCompare the after-tax outcome of contributing pre-tax dollars to a traditional IRA versus a Roth IRA.Calculator
- The 401(k) Rollover GuideWhat to do with an old employer plan — your four options, compared calmly.Guide
- Four Things You Can Do With an Old 401(k) — and How to Not Botch the Move7 min readArticle
Want a second set of eyes on this?
If you'd like to talk through what these numbers mean for your situation, you can schedule a free, no-pressure conversation. No products, no pitch — just questions answered.