401(k) Calculator (2026): Retirement Balance, Match & Tax Savings
See how much your 401(k) could be worth at retirement, how much of your employer’s match you’re capturing, and how much tax your contributions save this year, using the 2026 IRS limits.
Updated for the 2026 tax year · Rates checked 14 October 2026
| Balance at retirement | $2,783,694 |
|---|---|
| In today’s money | $1,116,448 |
| Your contributions | $529,394 |
| Employer match | $158,818 |
| Investment growth | $2,070,483 |
| This year’s contribution | $8,000 |
| Tax saved this year | $2,423 |
| Cost per biweekly paycheck | $215 |
- By age 67 your 401(k) could hold $2,783,694, about $1,116,448 in today’s money.
- Contributing $8,000 this year saves about $2,423 in tax, so it costs only $215 per biweekly paycheck.
- A 4% withdrawal rate would give about $111,348 a year ($9,279 a month) in retirement income.
Your result, explained
At your current pace your 401(k) could reach $2,783,694, about $1,116,448 in today’s money. You would contribute $529,394, your employer would add $158,818, and investment growth does the rest: $2,070,483.
This year’s $8,000 contribution saves about $2,423 in tax, so it only reduces each biweekly paycheck by $215. Always contribute at least enough to get the full employer match, then raise your rate by 1% a year until you reach 15% or the $24,500 limit.
Growth by year
| Year | Contributions | Growth | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $10,400 | $2,080 | $37,480 |
| 2 | $10,712 | $2,963 | $51,155 |
| 3 | $11,033 | $3,930 | $66,118 |
| 4 | $11,364 | $4,988 | $82,471 |
| 5 | $11,705 | $6,144 | $100,321 |
| 6 | $12,056 | $7,405 | $119,782 |
| 7 | $12,418 | $8,778 | $140,978 |
| 8 | $12,791 | $10,274 | $164,042 |
| 9 | $13,174 | $11,900 | $189,117 |
| 10 | $13,570 | $13,668 | $216,355 |
| 11 | $13,977 | $15,588 | $245,920 |
| 12 | $14,396 | $17,671 | $277,986 |
| 13 | $14,828 | $19,929 | $312,743 |
| 14 | $15,273 | $22,376 | $350,392 |
| 15 | $15,731 | $25,026 | $391,149 |
| 16 | $16,203 | $27,894 | $435,246 |
| 17 | $16,689 | $30,996 | $482,931 |
| 18 | $17,190 | $34,350 | $534,470 |
| 19 | $17,705 | $37,974 | $590,150 |
| 20 | $18,236 | $41,888 | $650,275 |
| 21 | $18,784 | $46,114 | $715,173 |
| 22 | $19,347 | $50,675 | $785,195 |
| 23 | $19,927 | $55,595 | $860,718 |
| 24 | $20,525 | $60,901 | $942,144 |
| 25 | $21,141 | $66,620 | $1,029,905 |
| 26 | $21,775 | $72,783 | $1,124,463 |
| 27 | $22,429 | $79,423 | $1,226,315 |
| 28 | $23,101 | $86,574 | $1,335,991 |
| 29 | $23,794 | $94,273 | $1,454,059 |
| 30 | $24,508 | $102,561 | $1,581,128 |
| 31 | $25,244 | $111,479 | $1,717,850 |
| 32 | $26,001 | $121,074 | $1,864,924 |
| 33 | $26,781 | $131,393 | $2,023,099 |
| 34 | $27,584 | $142,491 | $2,193,174 |
| 35 | $28,412 | $154,423 | $2,376,008 |
| 36 | $29,264 | $167,248 | $2,572,521 |
| 37 | $30,142 | $181,032 | $2,783,694 |
Popular amounts
How a 401(k) grows
Every paycheck, a percentage of your salary goes into your 401(k) before income tax. Your employer may add a match, commonly 50% or 100% of what you put in, up to 3–6% of salary. The money is invested and grows tax-deferred until you withdraw it in retirement, when withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income.
2026 contribution limits
- $24,500 employee deferral limit.
- +$8,000 catch-up from age 50 ($32,500 total).
- +$11,250 “super catch-up” at ages 60–63 ($35,750 total).
- From 2026, if you earned over $150,000 from the employer last year, catch-up contributions must go in as Roth.
Employer matches don’t count toward the $24,500.
Traditional vs Roth 401(k)
A traditional 401(k) cuts your tax now and is taxed on withdrawal. A Roth 401(k) uses after-tax money and is tax-free in retirement. If you expect a higher tax rate later (or you’re early in your career), Roth often wins. Many people split contributions between the two.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I put in my 401(k)?
At minimum, enough to get the full employer match. That’s an instant 50–100% return. Many planners suggest saving 15% of income for retirement in total, including the match.
What happens to my 401(k) if I change jobs?
It stays yours. You can leave it in the old plan, roll it into your new employer’s plan, or roll it into an IRA. Check the vesting schedule for employer contributions.
When can I withdraw from a 401(k)?
Without a penalty from age 59½ (55 if you leave that employer in or after the year you turn 55). Earlier withdrawals usually face a 10% penalty plus income tax.