401(k) Calculator
Project your 401(k) balance at retirement from your contribution rate, employer match and an assumed return. Contributions are capped at the annual IRS employee limit you enter.
2026 401(k) limits (IRS): $24,500 of employee deferrals, plus an $8,000 catch-up at age 50 and over ($11,250 at ages 60 to 63 if the plan allows). Employee plus employer contributions are capped at $72,000, excluding catch-up (IRS, IRS limits table, checked 19 October 2026).
Example: on $80,000 contributing 10% with a 50% match on up to 6% of salary, a $20,000 balance, an assumed 6% return, 2% raises and 30 years, the projection is about $1,137,224. The return is an assumption, not a forecast.
Compare account types with the Roth vs traditional IRA calculator, or see long-term growth with the compound interest calculator.
Build your scenario
Use your actual figures where available. The output is an educational estimate based on the assumptions below.
Displayed amounts are rounded to two decimal places. Keep the same currency and time period across related inputs.
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2026 401(k) limits (IRS)
- Employee elective deferrals: $24,500 for 2026 (up from $23,500 in 2025).
- Catch-up, age 50 and over: an extra $8,000 in 2026, for up to $32,500.
- Higher catch-up, ages 60 to 63: $11,250 instead of $8,000, if the plan allows.
- Total from all sources (you plus employer): $72,000 in 2026, excluding catch-up.
If you are eligible for catch-up contributions, add the catch-up amount to the limit field. Limits are indexed, so later years may be higher than the fixed limit used here.
Match = min(your contribution, salary × match cap) × match %
Balancenext = balance × (1 + return) + contribution + match
Worked example: $80,000 salary with a 50% match
On an $80,000 salary, contributing 10% ($8,000) with a 50% match on up to 6% of salary ($2,400), a $20,000 starting balance, a 6% return, 2% annual raises and 30 years, the projection is about $1,137,223.52. That is $324,544.63 of your own contributions, $97,363.39 of employer match and $695,315.49 of investment growth. The return is an assumption; real returns vary from year to year.
Things to check in your plan
- The match formula and vesting schedule. Unvested match can be lost if you leave.
- Whether you contribute pre-tax (traditional) or Roth 401(k). The total limit is shared.
- Fund fees, which reduce the net return.
Sources
- IRS: 401(k) limit increases to $24,500 for 2026: 2026 limits, Notice 2025-67
- IRS: 401(k) contribution limits
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Dated figures on this page are tracked in the figures update log.
Frequently asked questions
What is the 401(k) limit for 2026?
The IRS employee elective-deferral limit is $24,500 for 2026. Employees aged 50 and over can usually add $8,000, and those aged 60 to 63 can add $11,250 if the plan allows.
Does the employer match count toward my $24,500 limit?
No. The $24,500 limit is for your own deferrals. Employer contributions count toward the separate overall limit of $72,000 for 2026.
Is the projected balance before or after tax?
Before tax. Traditional 401(k) withdrawals are taxed as income; qualified Roth 401(k) withdrawals are not.
Why is my return only an assumption?
Investment returns vary and can be negative. Try several rates to see a range of outcomes.
What is the 401(k) catch-up limit for 2026?
$8,000 for employees aged 50 and over, according to the IRS. Employees aged 60, 61, 62 or 63 can contribute up to $11,250 instead if their plan allows.
How is an employer 401(k) match calculated?
Multiply the part of your contribution that the plan matches by the match rate. A 50% match on up to 6% of an $80,000 salary adds up to 50% × $4,800 = $2,400 a year.
Worked example: what goes in on an $80,000 salary at 10%?
You defer $8,000, under the 2026 limit of $24,500. With an employer match of 50% on the first 6% of pay, the employer adds $2,400, so $10,400 goes in for the year.
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