United States · Finance
401(k) Calculator
Project long-term 401(k) balance from current savings, salary deferrals, employer match, and annual return assumptions.
Interactive calculator
Project 401(k) Growth & Compare Roth vs. Traditional
Optimize your pre-tax (Traditional) vs. after-tax (Roth) savings, analyze employer matching contributions, and project long-term compounding growth.
Results
Traditional Balance (Gross)
$2,591,036
After-Tax: $2,202,381
Roth Balance (Gross)
$2,591,036
After-Tax: $2,510,586
Traditional Current Tax Savings
$1,870
Yearly pre-tax tax reduction
Employer Match Captured
$2,550
Max possible: $2,550/yr
Employer Match Optimizer
Maximize Your Free Money
Your employer matches up to 6% of your salary. To capture the maximum match, you should contribute at least 6%.
Traditional 401(k) Summary
Traditional contributions are pre-tax, lowering your taxable income now. All withdrawals (contributions + earnings) are taxed at retirement.
Roth 401(k) Summary
Roth contributions are after-tax, offering no current tax savings. Your employee withdrawals are 100% tax-free. Employer match portion is taxed at withdrawal.
Trajectory Graph
Traditional vs. Roth Net (After-Tax) Balance over time
Compare the actual net spending balance after accounting for taxes at retirement under both scenario choices.
How to use it
- 01Enter your current age, target retirement age, current balance, and annual salary.
- 02Set employee contribution rate, employer match rate, and employer match cap.
- 03Add expected annual return and salary growth to project the retirement balance.
Result guide
- Projected balance combines current savings, employee deposits, employer match, and growth over time.
- Employer contribution is shown separately because plan generosity can change outcomes materially.
- This version is a planning model and does not enforce annual IRS contribution limits or catch-up rules.
About this calculator
401(k) searches are high-value because retirement planning usually needs more than a generic compound-interest page. Users want salary-based contributions and employer match in the same model.
Keeping the match cap and match percentage editable makes the page practical across different benefit plans without pretending every employer uses the same policy.
Frequently asked questions
Does this calculator use current IRS contribution limits?
No. It is a flexible planning model, so contribution levels are driven by your inputs rather than hardcoded annual limits.
Why is employer match split into rate and cap?
Because many plans match only a portion of contributions and only up to a certain salary percentage.
Is the investment return guaranteed?
No. The annual return is only an assumption for projection, not a promised outcome.
Method and limitations
This calculator uses the formula and assumptions described on this page. We do not claim independent professional review. Direct references will be listed here when they support a specific rule or data source used by this calculator.
Results are estimates for general information. Verify current rules and assumptions before making financial, tax, or health decisions.
Read our Editorial and Verification Policy →Related calculators
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