Use our 401K Calculator to project your retirement savings with employee contributions, employer matching, investment returns, fees, and inflation all accounted for. In minutes, you’ll see how your current strategy could grow by the time you retire — and what small adjustments can do to improve the outcome.
What the 401K Calculator estimates
This 401K Calculator models how your nest egg can build over time. It starts with your current balance and annual salary, then applies your chosen contribution rate. If your employer offers a match, the calculator adds the matching dollars up to the plan’s cap. Each year, it increases your salary by your expected annual raise, applies the IRS contribution limit you enter, and compounds the balance using your expected return minus fees. Finally, it shows an inflation-adjusted balance to help you compare future dollars to today’s purchasing power.
- Employee contributions as a percent of salary, subject to the annual limit you enter
- Employer match based on match rate and salary cap percentage
- Annual salary growth to project future contributions
- Investment returns net of plan and fund fees
- Inflation adjustment to display an estimate in today’s dollars
How to use the 401K Calculator
- Enter your current age and target retirement age so the tool can determine your investing timeline.
- Provide your current 401(k) balance and annual salary.
- Choose your contribution rate as a percentage of salary. Add your plan’s employer match rate and the match cap percentage of salary.
- Set your expected annual raises, investment return, fees, and inflation rate.
- Click Calculate to see estimates in both future dollars and today’s dollars.
Interpreting your results
Your projected balance at retirement is shown two ways: in future dollars and in today’s dollars after inflation. You’ll also see a breakdown of how much you contributed, how much your employer contributed, and how much of the total came from market growth.
Remember, projections are estimates based on the inputs you provide. Markets fluctuate, and your actual path will vary. Use the results to compare scenarios and guide your saving rate rather than as a guarantee.
Smart ways to grow your 401(k)
- Capture the full match: If your employer matches 50% up to 6% of salary, contribute at least 6% to avoid leaving free money on the table.
- Increase contributions with raises: Bump your contribution 1% each year or allocate a portion of each raise to savings.
- Keep fees low: High expense ratios reduce your net return. Prefer broad, low-cost index funds when appropriate.
- Diversify: Spread risk across asset classes to pursue growth while managing volatility.
- Stay invested: Time in the market usually beats market timing. Avoid knee-jerk reactions to short-term swings.
Key assumptions the calculator makes
For clarity, this 401K Calculator assumes annual contributions and annual compounding. Employee contributions are limited by the annual cap you input. Employer matching is calculated as a percentage of your actual contribution, up to a maximum percentage of your salary (the plan’s cap). Returns are shown net of the fees you enter, and inflation is applied at the end of the projection to present an estimate in today’s dollars.
Why your inputs matter
Small tweaks can have a big impact. A 1% increase in contributions or a 0.5% reduction in fees can significantly change your outcome over decades. Similarly, a lower or higher return assumption will alter the projection, so it’s wise to choose a long-term, diversified return estimate that fits your risk tolerance and time horizon.
Next steps
Run a few scenarios: try increasing your contribution to capture the full match, then model a 1–2% higher contribution. Test different fee levels and investment returns to see how they affect the end balance. With clear insights from our 401K Calculator, you can set a savings target that aligns with your retirement goals and adjust your plan as your career progresses.
Finally, revisit your numbers annually. Update your salary, balance, and assumptions so the projection stays relevant. Consistency, smart costs, and time in the market are powerful forces working in your favor.