Calculators
401k Calculator with Employer Match
Free 401k calculator with employer match formulas, IRS limits, catch-up contributions, and inflation adjustment. Calculate retirement savings, maximize employer match, and see year-by-year growth projections.
Use 401k Calculator with Employer Match to get instant results without uploads or sign-ups. Everything runs securely in your browser for fast, reliable output.
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About this tool
Plan your retirement with our comprehensive 401k calculator. A 401k is one of the most powerful retirement savings vehicles available, offering tax-deferred growth and free money through employer matching. Our calculator shows exactly how much your 401k will grow by retirement, factoring in your contributions, employer match, and compound investment returns over time. See the dramatic impact of starting early and maximizing employer match.
The employer match is literally free money - typically 50-100% of your contributions up to 3-6% of salary. Not taking full advantage is leaving thousands of dollars on the table annually. Our calculator breaks down employee contributions, employer contributions, and investment growth separately so you can see the true value of the match. For example, a 50% match on 6% contributions is worth an extra 3% of your salary every year - that's $3,000 annually on a $100,000 salary.
Perfect for determining how much to contribute to reach retirement goals, understanding the value of employer match programs, comparing different contribution strategies, and seeing how starting age affects retirement savings. The calculator uses compound interest with monthly contributions to accurately project growth. Even small increases in contribution percentage can mean hundreds of thousands more at retirement due to decades of compounding.
Your financial information stays completely private - all calculations happen in your browser with no data sent to servers. Use the calculator to model different scenarios and contribution rates. Works on all devices and can be used offline after the first visit.
Usage examples
Starting Early at 25
$50k salary, 10% contribution, 50% match up to 6%, 40 years to retirement
Balance at 65: $1.26M. Your contributions: $200k. Employer match: $60k. Investment growth: $1M. Starting early = massive compound growth!
Catching Up at 40
$80k salary, 15% contribution, 50% match, 25 years to retirement
Balance at 65: $1.18M. Your contributions: $300k. Match: $60k. Growth: $820k. Higher % needed when starting later, but still achievable.
Maximizing Employer Match
$75k salary, 6% you + 3% match (50% of 6%) vs 10% you
At 6%: $2,250 match/year. At 10%: Still $2,250 match (capped at 6%). Contribute at least 6% to get full match, then increase if possible.
Impact of $10k Starting Balance
$10k existing + $60k salary, 8% contribution, 30 years
With $10k start: $528k final. Starting from $0: $485k. That $10k becomes $76k - it grows 7.6x over 30 years at 7% return.
Contribution Rate Comparison
$70k salary: 6% vs 12% contribution over 35 years
6%: $617k. 12%: $1.23M. Doubling contribution = doubles final amount + extra from employer match. Find highest % you can sustain.
How to use
- Optional: Select a Quick Start preset (Conservative, Aggressive, Maximize Match, or Catch-Up)
- Enter your current 401k balance (or $0 if starting from scratch)
- Enter your current age and target retirement age (calculator auto-calculates years)
- Enter your current annual salary
- Enter your contribution percentage (minimum 6% to get typical employer match)
- Select your employer match formula (50% up to 6%, 100% up to 3%, etc.) or choose "No match"
- Enter expected annual return rate (5-10% is realistic, 7% is common default)
- Optional: Add annual salary increase % to model raises (e.g., 3% per year)
- Optional: Add inflation rate to see purchasing power in today's dollars
- Click "Run Tool" to see your projected 401k balance at retirement
- Review IRS contribution limit status and catch-up eligibility
- Check employer match efficiency to ensure you're maximizing free money
- View year-by-year milestones to track projected growth
- Each output has its own Copy button for easy sharing or record-keeping
Benefits
- Calculate projected 401k balance at retirement with age-based inputs
- Compare multiple employer match formulas (50% up to 6%, 100% up to 3%, etc.)
- See IRS contribution limit warnings ($23,500 for 2024, $31,000 with catch-up)
- Automatic catch-up contribution eligibility for ages 50+
- Quick Start presets for common scenarios (Conservative, Aggressive, Maximize Match)
- Inflation-adjusted results show purchasing power in today's dollars
- Year-by-year milestone breakdown shows growth trajectory
- Match efficiency checker ensures you're getting maximum employer contribution
- Model salary increases over time for realistic projections
- See separate breakdowns: your contributions, employer match, and investment growth
- 4% rule retirement income calculator shows annual and monthly withdrawal amounts
- Each output has individual Copy button for easy documentation
- Mobile-optimized interface with clear labels and helpful tooltips
- No registration or personal information required
- 100% private - all calculations done in your browser
- Works offline after first load
- Free forever with instant calculations
FAQs
How much should I contribute to my 401k?
At minimum, contribute enough to get the full employer match - typically 6% of salary. Then aim for 10-15% total (including match) to retire comfortably. If you can afford more, the IRS allows up to $23,500 annually (2024), or $31,000 if you're 50+ ($23,500 + $7,500 catch-up). Financial experts recommend saving 15-20% of income for retirement across all accounts. Start with the match, then increase 1% per year until you hit 15%.
What is employer 401k matching and how does it work?
Employer match is when your company contributes to your 401k based on your contributions. Common formulas: 1) 50% match up to 6% of salary means if you contribute 6%, they add 3% (total: 9% of salary going in). 2) 100% match up to 3% means they match dollar-for-dollar up to 3% of salary. 3) 100% match up to 4% - less common but better. If you earn $60,000 and contribute 6% ($3,600) with 50% match, employer adds $1,800 - that's free money! Always contribute enough to get full match.
What are catch-up contributions for 401k?
Starting at age 50, the IRS allows "catch-up contributions" - extra 401k contributions beyond the normal limit. For 2024: normal limit is $23,500, catch-up adds $7,500, total $31,000. Even better: ages 60-63 can contribute $11,250 catch-up (total $34,750). This helps people who started saving late or had career gaps. Our calculator automatically shows your catch-up eligibility and adjusts IRS limit warnings based on your age. Maximize this if you can afford it - it's your last chance to supercharge retirement savings.
What is a good rate of return for a 401k?
Historical stock market returns average 10% annually long-term, but 401k returns are typically 7-8% after accounting for bonds and more conservative allocations as you age. Young investors (20s-30s) in aggressive portfolios might see 8-10%. Near retirement, conservative portfolios might return 5-6%. Use 7% for realistic projections. Remember, returns fluctuate yearly - market could gain 20% one year and lose 10% the next, but averages out long-term.
Is it better to start contributing early or contribute more later?
Starting early is drastically better due to compound interest. Contributing $5,000/year from age 25-35 (10 years, $50,000 total) then stopping grows to $602,000 by 65 at 8% return. Contributing $5,000/year from age 35-65 (30 years, $150,000 total) only grows to $566,000. The early start wins despite contributing $100,000 less! Start as young as possible, even with small amounts. Time is your biggest advantage.
What happens to my 401k if I change jobs?
You have options: 1) Leave it with old employer (if allowed and balance over $5,000), 2) Roll over to new employer's 401k, 3) Roll over to IRA (Individual Retirement Account) - most flexible, 4) Cash out (not recommended - pays taxes + 10% penalty if under 59½). Most people roll to IRA or new 401k. Your contributions are always 100% yours. Employer match may have a vesting schedule (e.g., 100% vested after 3 years).
What is the difference between traditional and Roth 401k?
Traditional 401k: Contributions are pre-tax (reduce current taxable income), grows tax-deferred, pay taxes on withdrawals in retirement. Roth 401k: Contributions are after-tax (no current deduction), grows tax-free, withdrawals in retirement are tax-free. Choose traditional if you expect lower tax rate in retirement. Choose Roth if you expect higher rate or want tax-free growth. Many do both for tax diversification. Employer match always goes to traditional account.
When can I withdraw from my 401k without penalty?
Age 59½ is the penalty-free withdrawal age. Withdraw before that and you pay income tax PLUS 10% early withdrawal penalty. Exceptions: disability, death, first-time home purchase ($10k max), certain medical expenses, substantially equal payments (SEPP). Some 401k plans allow loans (borrow from yourself) or hardship withdrawals. At 73 (as of 2024), you must take Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs). Plan to not touch 401k until retirement for maximum growth.
Should I max out my 401k or pay off debt first?
Strategy: 1) Get employer match first (free money - instant 50-100% return), 2) Pay off high-interest debt (credit cards 15%+), 3) Increase 401k contributions, 4) Pay off moderate debt (student loans 5-7%). Never skip the employer match to pay debt - that match is an instant 50-100% return. But after getting the match, paying off 18% credit card debt is effectively an 18% guaranteed "return" and should be prioritized over additional 401k contributions. Low-interest debt (<4%) can wait while you save.
How much do I need in my 401k to retire?
Use the 4% rule: Annual expenses × 25 = 401k target. Need $50,000/year? Target $1.25M. Need $80,000/year? Target $2M. The 4% rule says you can safely withdraw 4% annually without running out of money over 30 years. Also factor in Social Security (averages $20-30k/year). Most people need 70-80% of pre-retirement income. Use our calculator to see if you're on track - if not, increase contributions or work longer.
What are 401k contribution limits?
2024 limits: $23,500 for those under 50, $31,000 for 50+ (includes $7,500 catch-up). Ages 60-63 get $11,250 catch-up ($34,750 total). These limits are for YOUR contributions only - employer match doesn't count. Combined employee + employer limit is $69,000 ($76,500 if 50+). Very few people max out 401k - requires $23,500/year or $1,958/month. If you can max it out and get employer match, you're well positioned for retirement. Limits increase most years with inflation. Our calculator warns you if contributions exceed limits.
How does inflation affect my 401k retirement savings?
Inflation erodes purchasing power over time. $1 million in 30 years won't buy what $1M buys today. At 2.5% inflation, $1M becomes $476k in purchasing power. Our calculator shows both nominal (actual dollars) and real (inflation-adjusted) values. This is why 401k investments must outpace inflation - 7% return minus 2.5% inflation = 4.5% "real return". When planning retirement, always consider inflation-adjusted numbers to see true purchasing power. The calculator lets you input expected inflation rate to see realistic projections.
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