Maximizing the Employer Match
Example Input
Salary: $80,000, Contribution: 6%, Employer Match: 100% up to 6%, Annual Return: 7%, Years: 30.
Sample Output
Final Balance: $960,500. The employer match contributed $480,250 of the total growth.
Free browser-based estimate
401(k) Calculator
Project a US 401(k) balance using contributions, employer match, salary growth, and an assumed return. Review the assumptions and verify important figures with current official sources.
Your assumptions
Inputs stay localProjected 401(k) balance
$1,814,117
Average monthly contribution
$47,110
Years invested
35 years
How to read this estimate
This projection assumes regular contributions, the salary-growth assumption shown, and a constant annual return. It does not account for plan fees, taxes, contribution limits, vesting, or market volatility.
Independent planning tool. Results are estimates based on the values and assumptions shown. This is not financial, tax, legal, mortgage, or pension advice.
Check the official guidance: IRS retirement-plan guidance•
Privacy note:Calculations run locally in your browser. Your entered financial figures are not sent to our calculator server.
What is a 401(k) Calculator?
This tool projects the future value of your workplace retirement plan based on your salary, contribution rate, and investment returns. It factors in your employer match to show the true trajectory of your nest egg.
Who Should Use This Tool?
Any employee with access to a workplace retirement plan should use this calculator to optimize their savings. It is particularly useful for those planning their escape from the rat race using our FIRE guide.
Examples
Maxing Out Contributions
Example Input
Salary: $120,000, Contribution: $23,500/year, Current Balance: $50,000, Annual Return: 8%, Years: 25.
Sample Output
Final Balance: $2,150,000. Total personal contributions were $587,500.
Actionable Use Cases
Use this calculator to determine if you are on track to meet your retirement goals when combined with a retirement calculator. It helps you decide whether to increase your contribution percentage when you get a raise or bonus.
Optimizing Your Strategy
Always contribute at least enough to capture your full employer match—it maximizes your total compensation package. For a complete picture of your wealth building, run your numbers here and then separately in a Roth IRA calculator to diversify your tax advantages.
Common Pitfalls
A massive mistake is ignoring the IRS contribution limits or misunderstanding your company's vesting schedules, which dictate when the matched funds actually belong to you. Also, failing to account for inflation in a compound interest calculator can lead to a false sense of security.
FAQ
What is an employer match?
An employer match is money your company contributes to your 401(k) based on how much you contribute. For example, they might match 100% of your contributions up to 5% of your salary.
Should I choose a Traditional or Roth 401(k)?
A Traditional 401(k) provides a tax break now, while a Roth 401(k) provides tax-free withdrawals in retirement. The choice depends on whether you think your tax rate is higher now or will be higher in retirement.
What is a vesting schedule?
A vesting schedule determines when you fully own your employer's matched contributions. If you leave the company before you are fully vested, you may forfeit some or all of the matched money.
Why Use Our Calculator?
Our 401(k) projector provides instant, private, and customizable results right in your browser. You can tweak your expected annual return and salary growth rate to run highly realistic scenarios for your future.
Workflow Sequence
Recommended Next Step Workflow
Follow this 3-step planning sequence to compare the current calculator with the next useful financial or career check.
Step 1 • Completed
401(k) Calculator
Current calculation completed with your latest planning inputs.
Step 2 • Up NextRun →
Roth IRA Calculator
Estimate how recurring Roth IRA contributions may grow toward retirement.
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