401(k) retirement calculator (future value & match)

Project your 401(k) balance using contributions, employer match, salary growth, and returns. See future value and after-tax estimates (planning).

Your inputs

About this calculator

Project this workplace account to retirement. Use your latest statement and pay stub for balance, salary, and contribution rates.

Your information

Enter your best estimates below.

How old you are now — sets how many years until retirement.
When you plan to stop working and start using this money.
What’s in the account today (last statement balance).
Your gross pay before taxes — used for contribution limits and match.
Pre-tax lowers taxable pay now; Roth uses after-tax dollars but can be tax-free later.
What you put in from each paycheck, as a percent of salary. Many people aim for 10–15% total savings.
10%
Employer match as a percent of what you contribute (50 means 50¢ per dollar you put in).

e.g. 50 means 50¢ per dollar you contribute. We apply it on up to 6% of salary (typical plan limit).

How we run the estimate

Change return, inflation, and tax rates below. Other rules stay fixed while you edit your personal details above.

Average yearly investment growth before retirement — not guaranteed.
7.0%
How much everyday prices rise — used to show spending power in today’s dollars.
3.0%
Your federal tax bracket while working — used for pre-tax contribution savings.
Expected federal rate when you withdraw — often lower after you stop working.
Years used for retirement income estimate
Through age 90
Pay raises while working
2% per year
Employer match cap
6% of salary (typical plan limit)
Contribution caps
2026 IRS limits, including extra catch-up contributions after age 50
How the account grows each year
Investment return is applied once per year, then your contributions are added
Not included
Job changes, plan fees, loans, or pension income outside the 401(k)

Your results

On track

What it means

Your projected balance at retirement is at a level many planners would consider a solid starting point.

How we chose it

We grow your balance each year with contributions, employer match, and your return rate until retirement age. This tag appears when the projected balance is $1 million or more.

Projected 401(k) at retirement

$1.9M

After-tax balance at retirement: $1,548,853.

Real value in today's $

$778K

Estimated yearly spending from this account after tax, in today's dollars, spread over your retirement years—not a guarantee.

$40,345/yr

Estimated federal tax you avoid in year one from Traditional contributions only (Roth shows $0).

$2,200

Growth to retirement

Your contributions

$405,681

Employer match

$121,704

373941434547495153555759616365$0$500K$1.0M$1.5M$2.0M

Contribution breakdown

Your contributionsEmployer match$0$150K$300K$450K$600K

Beyond this calculator

One account does not define retirement security

This projection shows growth for a single workplace plan. A complete Retirelens plan also connects:

  • Other retirement, IRA, and taxable accounts
  • Social Security and pension income
  • Healthcare, debt, and housing cash flow
  • Taxes on withdrawals across your retirement years

Free to startNo credit card required

Interpretation

What these numbers mean

Planning context for the estimates above. Not tax, legal, or investment advice.

Your 401(k) projection assumes contributions, employer match, and investment growth compound until retirement age 65. Employer match is applied up to 6% of salary at a 50% rate.

The after-tax value applies your estimated 18% retirement tax rate to the full balance at withdrawal. The sustainable income estimate shows how much you could withdraw annually (in today's dollars) over a 25-year retirement.

This is an educational estimate, not a guarantee or financial advice.

Methodology

How we figure this out

The rules and math behind this estimate.

Each year, your prior balance grows at the selected annual return. Then your employee contribution (capped at 2026 IRS contribution limits) and employer match are added.

For Traditional 401(k), the retirement tax rate is applied to the nominal balance to get after-tax value. For Roth, the full balance is after-tax. The real value divides by the inflation factor over the accumulation years.

Help

Frequently asked questions

Straight answers to common questions about this calculator.

How much should I put in my 401(k)?

At minimum, save enough to get the full employer match — that is extra pay. Many experts suggest 10–15% of pay if you can, within IRS limits.

What is an employer match?

Free money your company adds when you contribute. Example: they add 50 cents per dollar you save up to 6% of pay. Always get the full match if you can.

Traditional or Roth 401(k)?

Traditional lowers taxes now; you pay tax when you withdraw. Roth uses after-tax pay now; withdrawals may be tax-free later. Pick based on whether you expect higher or lower taxes in retirement.

What return should I assume?

Past U.S. stock returns averaged about 7% a year after inflation over long periods—but the future can differ. Using 5–6% is a more cautious planning assumption.

Your full retirement picture

Retirement is more than money

Free to startNo credit card required

A good retirement plan covers money, health, how you spend your time, people you care about, and what you pass on. That is how Retirelens looks at the full picture.

Finance

Know where you stand and what to do next with your money.

74% of planners reported satisfaction with retirement income vs. 43% of non-planners (Goldman Sachs)

Health

Secure solid coverage, stay ahead with preventive care and healthy habits a staple.

68% of adults ages 50–64 said they were concerned that federal policy changes could affect their health insurance coverage. (University of Michigan)

Purpose

Shape days you look forward to, with steps to get there.

Research shows that a stronger sense of purpose is associated with lower mortality risk among adults over age 50. (American Medical Association)

Connections

Strengthen relationships and build a support circle.

A longitudinal study of adults aged 65+ found that older adults with more diverse social networks had a lower risk of death and better cognitive and physical function than those with less diverse networks. (Chico Health Aging Project)

Legacy

Organize your assets and document so your family isn't left guessing.

Without a proper estate plan, more than half of families experience disputes or have assets end up under court control. (LegalShield)