Finance & Money
401k Calculator
Use this 401k calculator to see how employee contributions, employer match, and compound growth can build retirement savings.
Projected 401k balance
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- Annual employee contribution
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- Annual employer match
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What this 401k calculator estimates
A 401(k) is an employer-sponsored retirement account funded by payroll contributions, often with an employer match. This calculator combines three moving parts — your contribution (a percent of salary), the employer match formula, and compound growth at an assumed return — to project a future balance.
How employer match works
A common formula is "50% of the first 6% of salary." The match rate (50%) is how many cents the employer adds per dollar you contribute. The match cap (6%) is the slice of your salary the employer is willing to match — contributions above the cap still grow, but they earn no extra match.
| Your contribution | Employer adds (50% up to 6%) | Total going in per year |
|---|---|---|
| 3% ($2,100) | $1,050 | $3,150 |
| 6% ($4,200) | $2,100 | $6,300 |
| 8% ($5,600) | $2,100 (capped at 6%) | $7,700 |
| 10% ($7,000) | $2,100 (capped at 6%) | $9,100 |
The table illustrates a $70,000 salary with a 50% match capped at 6% of salary. Note how the employer amount stops rising once your contribution passes the cap — that is the match cap doing its job.
Reading the match formula
Salary $70,000, you contribute 8%, employer matches 50% of the first 6%. Your contribution: 70,000 x 8% = $5,600 per year. Matched portion: min(8%, 6%) = 6%, so the employer adds 70,000 x 6% x 50% = $2,100. Combined, $7,700 per year flows into the account and is compounded monthly at the assumed return.
The projection assumes a steady salary, a fixed contribution rate, and a constant return — real accounts fluctuate and can lose value in down years. IRS annual contribution limits, vesting schedules (rules about when matched money becomes fully yours), taxes, and plan fees are not modeled, so verify those against your plan documents.
How to use it
- Enter salary and your contribution percent.
- Enter the employer match formula.
- Choose years and expected return.
How to read the answer
The employer match is part of the projected contribution stream, capped by the match cap you enter.
Common mistakes and edge cases
- Plan match formulas differ.
- Contribution limits and vesting rules are not modeled.
- Returns are not guaranteed.
Worked examples
Common match
Projected 401k balance
$605,677.28
No match
Projected 401k balance
$532,370.40
Frequently asked questions
Does this include IRS limits?+
No. Check current contribution limits and plan rules separately.
What is a match cap?+
It is the salary percentage the employer is willing to match.
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Last updated: May 8, 2026