401(k) Calculator

Project your 401(k) balance at retirement — including employer matching and investment growth.

🏦 401(k) Calculator
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Projected Balance at Retirement
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Your Contributions
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Employer Match
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Investment Growth
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Effective Match
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2025 Contribution Limits: $23,500/year under age 50. $31,000/year if age 50+ (catch-up contribution of $7,500).

Understanding Your 401(k)

A 401(k) is the most powerful retirement savings tool available to most American workers. Contributions are made with pre-tax dollars (traditional) or after-tax dollars (Roth), and your money grows tax-deferred until withdrawal.

Always Capture the Full Employer Match

Employer matching is essentially free money — a 100% immediate return on your investment. If your employer matches 3% of your salary up to 6% contributed, always contribute at least 6%. Not doing so is leaving thousands of dollars on the table each year.

Traditional vs. Roth 401(k)

Traditional 401(k): Contributions are pre-tax, reducing your taxable income now. You pay taxes on withdrawals in retirement. Best if you expect to be in a lower tax bracket in retirement.

Roth 401(k): Contributions are after-tax, so withdrawals in retirement are completely tax-free. Best if you expect to be in a higher tax bracket later, or want tax-free income in retirement.

Vesting Schedules

Employer match contributions are often subject to a vesting schedule — meaning you don't fully own that money until you've worked for the company a certain number of years. Check your plan documents so you don't leave unvested money behind if you change jobs.

Frequently Asked Questions

At minimum, contribute enough to get your full employer match — that's a 50–100% return on that money. Ideally, aim to max out your contribution ($23,500 in 2025). If that's not possible, many advisors recommend 15% of income including employer match as a solid target for retirement readiness.
You have several options: roll it into your new employer's plan, roll it into an IRA (most flexible), leave it with the old employer (if allowed), or cash it out (not recommended — triggers taxes and a 10% penalty if under 59½). A rollover to an IRA is usually the best move for investment flexibility.
Generally at age 59½. Withdrawals before that age are subject to a 10% early withdrawal penalty plus income taxes. There are some exceptions: disability, certain medical expenses, and the Rule of 55 (if you leave your job in the year you turn 55 or later).
Starting at age 73, the IRS requires you to withdraw a minimum amount from your traditional 401(k) each year, calculated based on your account balance and life expectancy. Roth 401(k)s no longer have RMDs thanks to the SECURE 2.0 Act. Failing to take RMDs results in a 25% penalty on the amount you should have withdrawn.
A commonly used long-term assumption is 6–7% annually for a balanced portfolio (stocks and bonds), or up to 10% for an all-stock portfolio. Most financial planners use 6–7% to be conservative. The actual return depends entirely on your fund choices and market performance.

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