🏦 401K Calculator
Project your retirement savings growth, including employer match
Project Your 401K
401K Guide
How Employer Matching Works
Many employers match a percentage of what you contribute, up to a cap. For example, "50% match up to 6% of salary" means if you contribute 6% of your pay, your employer adds another 3% (half of 6%) — but contributing more than 6% doesn't earn additional match on the excess.
| Your Contribution | Match Cap | Match % | Employer Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6% of salary | 6% | 50% | 3% of salary |
| 10% of salary | 6% | 50% | 3% of salary (capped) |
| 4% of salary | 6% | 100% | 4% of salary |
Not contributing enough to get the full match is often called "leaving free money on the table."
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this account for the IRS contribution limit?
No — the IRS sets an annual maximum on employee 401k contributions that changes periodically. This calculator applies your entered percentage without checking it against that limit, so very high salaries or contribution percentages could produce a projection that exceeds the actual legal limit.
Does this account for taxes?
No — traditional 401k contributions are pre-tax, and withdrawals in retirement are taxed as income; Roth 401k works the opposite way. This calculator shows gross account growth only, not after-tax retirement income.
What is vesting, and why isn't it included here?
Some employers require you to stay a certain number of years before employer match contributions fully belong to you ("vesting"). This calculator assumes you keep 100% of the match; check your plan documents for your specific vesting schedule.
Why include a salary growth rate?
Since contributions are typically a percentage of salary, a raise increases your dollar contribution even if your percentage stays the same. Including expected annual raises gives a more realistic long-term projection than assuming a flat salary.
What return rate should I use?
There's no guaranteed rate — actual market returns vary significantly year to year. Many long-term projections use a historical average in the 6-8% range for a diversified stock-heavy portfolio, but this is an assumption, not a promise, and more conservative allocations typically earn less.