Skip to content
Calculators ▾

401(k) calculator

See what your 401(k) could grow to — with your employer match, raises and investment returns — using the 2026 IRS contribution limits and catch-ups.

Your age
years
Retirement age
years
Annual salary
/ yr
Current 401(k) balance
Your contribution$5,100 a year
% of pay
Employer match
Match rate50 = 50¢ per $1
%
Up to
% of pay

401(k) balance at age 67

$2,073,154

You add $5,100 + employer $2,550 this year

  • Your contributions$337,489.00
  • Employer match$168,744.00
  • Starting balance$20,000.00
  • Investment growth$1,546,921.00

Balance by age

31: Balance 29,3183132: Balance 39,52533: Balance 50,69234: Balance 62,89235: Balance 76,2063536: Balance 90,72037: Balance 106,52438: Balance 123,71939: Balance 142,40940: Balance 162,7084041: Balance 184,73942: Balance 208,63143: Balance 234,52444: Balance 262,56845: Balance 292,9244546: Balance 325,76447: Balance 361,27348: Balance 399,64949: Balance 441,10450: Balance 485,8655051: Balance 534,17652: Balance 586,29853: Balance 642,51054: Balance 703,11255: Balance 768,4255556: Balance 838,79357: Balance 914,58358: Balance 996,19259: Balance 1,084,04060: Balance 1,178,5826061: Balance 1,280,30162: Balance 1,389,71763: Balance 1,507,38664: Balance 1,633,90465: Balance 1,769,9086566: Balance 1,916,08167: Balance 2,073,15467
Balance

Year by year

AgeSalaryYouEmployerBalance
31$85,000$5,100$2,550$29,318
32$87,550$5,253$2,627$39,525
33$90,177$5,411$2,705$50,692
34$92,882$5,573$2,786$62,892
35$95,668$5,740$2,870$76,206
36$98,538$5,912$2,956$90,720
37$101,494$6,090$3,045$106,524
38$104,539$6,272$3,136$123,719
39$107,675$6,461$3,230$142,409
40$110,906$6,654$3,327$162,708
At retirement$2,073,154

Ask Numlight

Ask in plain English. Every number comes from our tested calculators.

Educational only, not financial advice. Your question is processed by our AI provider; please don't include personal details.

2026 retirement contribution limits

401(k) / 403(b)
$24,500
Catch-up 50+
+$8,000
Catch-up 60–63
+$11,250
IRA
$7,500

Source: IRS Notice 2025-67 (2026 retirement plan limits).

Assumptions

  • IRS 2026 limits held flat in future years (they usually rise with inflation): $24,500, +$8,000 at 50+, +$11,250 at 60–63.
  • Steady annual return; contributions earn half a year's return in the year they're made. Before taxes and fund fees. Not adjusted for inflation.

Frequently asked questions

What is the 401(k) contribution limit for 2026?+

$24,500 of employee contributions. People 50 and older can add $8,000 more, and those aged 60–63 can add $11,250 instead. Total employee plus employer contributions are capped at $72,000.

How does an employer match work?+

A common formula is 50% of what you contribute, up to 6% of your salary: contribute 6% and your employer adds 3%. Contributing less than the match limit leaves free money on the table — the calculator flags it.

How much should I contribute to my 401(k)?+

At minimum, enough to get the full employer match. Many planners suggest saving 15% of income for retirement in total, including the match.

Traditional or Roth 401(k)?+

Traditional contributions lower your taxes now and are taxed when withdrawn; Roth contributions are taxed now and come out tax-free in retirement. Roth tends to win if you expect a higher tax rate later.

What are the 2026 IRA and HSA limits?+

IRA: $7,500 ($8,600 at 50+). HSA: $4,400 self-only or $8,750 family coverage, plus $1,000 at 55+.

Related calculators

Compound interest calculatorHow much will my savings grow? Roth IRA calculatorHow much can I put in a Roth IRA? Roth vs traditional calculatorRoth or traditional: which saves more? HSA calculatorHow much does an HSA save me in taxes? Social Security claiming age calculatorWhen should I claim Social Security? Inflation calculatorWhat is a past dollar worth today?

Uses 2026 rules and limits. Last reviewed October 15, 2026. Calculator version 1.0.0. Sources: IRS Notice 2025-67 (2026 retirement plan limits) · IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-19 (2026 HSA limits). Results are estimates for educational purposes, not financial, tax or lending advice. How we check our numbers.