401(k) Contribution Calculator
401(k) Contribution Calculator works out Projected balance at retirement and Your total contributions from Plan, Plan year and Annual salary. The default figures on this page give your contribution this year of 6,000.00; change any entry and the result, the working and the sources update together.
Your figures
Updates as you typeHow this is worked out
3 steps
- 2026 elective deferral limit = 24500 + 0 catch-up at age 35 = 24500.
- Employee contribution = min(6% x 100000, 24500) = 6000, or 230.77 per pay period.
- Employer match = 50% of the first 6% of pay = 3000.
Figures from IRS retirement plan limits, 2026 rules, checked 31 August 2026. Its 6 worked examples are re-run on every release, last on 15 September 2026. What changed · how reference data is kept current
Sources and references
5 sources
Keep this result
Save it, change one figure, then compare the two
The calculation stays free. Save this scenario, adjust one assumption, save that too, and put them side by side to see exactly what the change costs you. A free account keeps 5 scenarios and 2 comparisons; Personal makes both unlimited and adds exports and private links. Nothing is saved unless you press Save.
What the 401(k) Contribution Calculator calculates
Projects a 401(k), 403(b), 457(b) or TSP balance with employer matching against the statutory contribution limits, and also computes this year’s contributions, the tax and penalty on an early withdrawal, and the plan-loan limit and repayment.
How to use this 401(k) Contribution Calculator
Enter Plan, Plan year, Annual salary and Current vested balance. Projected balance at retirement updates as you type. Change one figure at a time to see what drives the result.
How the result is worked out
Open “How this is worked out” beside the result for the step-by-step calculation behind Projected balance at retirement, Your total contributions and Total employer contributions.
The method follows IRS Notice 2025-67, 2026 amounts relating to retirement plans and IRAs, SECURE 2.0 ACT of 2022, section 109 — higher catch-up limit at ages 60 to 63, IRC section 72(t) — 10% additional tax on early distributions, and IRC section 3405(c) — 20% mandatory withholding, IRC section 72(p)(2)(A) — limit on plan loans and Thrift Savings Plan — Contribution types and agency/service matching.
What you can compare
Change one input at a time to see how it affects Projected balance at retirement, Your total contributions and Total employer contributions. The inputs you can vary are Plan, Plan year, Annual salary, Current vested balance, Your contribution and Employer match rate.
Understanding Projected balance at retirement, Your total contributions and Total employer contributions
An estimate based on the assumptions you enter. Contribution limits, the taxation of a distribution and the terms of a plan loan depend on your plan document, your filing position and your state — confirm with your plan administrator and a tax adviser before acting.
Results are general information, not financial, tax, legal, medical or engineering advice. Check any decision that matters with a qualified professional.
See something wrong? Report a problem with this calculator
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate my 401(k) contributions?
Projects a 401(k), 403(b), 457(b) or TSP balance with employer matching against the statutory contribution limits, and also computes this year’s contributions, the tax and penalty on an early withdrawal. Open “How this is worked out” beside the result to see each step for your own figures.
What information do I need for the 401(k) Contribution Calculator?
You need Plan, Plan year, Annual salary, Current vested balance, Your contribution, Employer match rate, Employer matches up to and Your age now. The page opens with default figures that give your contribution this year of 6,000.00, so you can see the scale before entering your own.
What does this 401(k) Contribution Calculator show?
It shows Projected balance at retirement, Your total contributions, Total employer contributions, Investment growth, Balance after tax in retirement, Your contribution this year, Employer contribution this year and Your contribution each pay period, with the working and any warnings for your entries.
Can I check how the 401(k) Contribution Calculator result was calculated?
Yes. The “How this is worked out” section shows the calculation steps, and the sources section identifies the references used for the method.