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CalcTortoise

401(k) Calculator

Enter your salary, contribution rate and your employer’s match to see what your 401(k) could grow to by retirement.

Written by the CalcTortoise editorial team · How we work

years
years
Assumed: 3% raise each year. Change

For example, “50% of contributions up to 6% of pay”.

Assumed, not predicted. Before inflation and after fund fees.

401(k) balance at 65

$1,128,523

By 65, your 401(k) could grow to $1.13 million, including $90,693 from your employer’s match. You’re leaving $750 of free match on the table this year — contributing 6% would add $457,496 by retirement.

Your contributions
$181,386
Employer match
$90,693
Investment growth
$836,444
Match missed this year
$750

Illustration only, not investment, tax or legal advice. Returns are assumed, not predicted.

What moves the result most?
401(k) balance by age

Year by year

AgeSalaryYouEmployerGrowthBalance
31$75,000$3,000$1,500$1,555$26,055
32$77,250$3,090$1,545$1,983$32,673
33$79,568$3,183$1,591$2,451$39,899
34$81,955$3,278$1,639$2,962$47,778
35$84,413$3,377$1,688$3,519$56,361
36$86,946$3,478$1,739$4,125$65,703
37$89,554$3,582$1,791$4,784$75,860
38$92,241$3,690$1,845$5,501$86,895
39$95,008$3,800$1,900$6,279$98,875
40$97,858$3,914$1,957$7,123$111,869
41$100,794$4,032$2,016$8,039$125,956
42$103,818$4,153$2,076$9,031$141,216
43$106,932$4,277$2,139$10,106$157,738
44$110,140$4,406$2,203$11,269$175,616
45$113,444$4,538$2,269$12,527$194,950
46$116,848$4,674$2,337$13,888$215,848
47$120,353$4,814$2,407$15,358$238,427
48$123,964$4,959$2,479$16,946$262,811
49$127,682$5,107$2,554$18,660$289,132
50$131,513$5,261$2,630$20,511$317,534
51$135,458$5,418$2,709$22,507$348,168
52$139,522$5,581$2,790$24,660$381,199
53$143,708$5,748$2,874$26,981$416,802
54$148,019$5,921$2,960$29,482$455,165
55$152,460$6,098$3,049$32,176$496,489
56$157,033$6,281$3,141$35,078$540,989
57$161,744$6,470$3,235$38,203$588,897
58$166,597$6,664$3,332$41,567$640,460
59$171,595$6,864$3,432$45,186$695,942
60$176,742$7,070$3,535$49,081$755,627
61$182,045$7,282$3,641$53,270$819,820
62$187,506$7,500$3,750$57,774$888,845
63$193,131$7,725$3,863$62,618$963,050
64$198,925$7,957$3,979$67,824$1,042,810
65$204,893$8,196$4,098$73,420$1,128,523

How to use this calculator

  1. Enter your age, retirement age, salary and expected raises.
  2. Enter your contribution rate and your employer’s matching formula.
  3. Add your current balance and an expected return.

Limits from IRS Notice 2025-67, assumed to rise 2.5% a year. Vesting schedules and fees are not included.

Frequently asked questions

What is the 401(k) contribution limit for 2026?

$24,500 of your own contributions. At 50 and older you can add a catch-up of $8,000, or $11,250 in the years you turn 60 to 63. Your and your employer’s contributions together are capped at $72,000, not counting catch-ups.

How does an employer match work?

A common formula is 50% of what you contribute, up to 6% of pay: contribute 6% and your employer adds 3%. In the example, raising contributions from 4% to 6% earns the full match and lifts the retirement balance from $1.13 million to $1.59 million.

How much does starting early matter?

A great deal. Starting at 40 instead of 30, with the same plan, the balance at 65 would be $496,489 instead of $1.13 million.

Is the balance in today’s dollars?

No — it is in future dollars. Prices will be higher by then; use the inflation calculator to see what the amount would buy today.

Sources and method

Standard formulas run year by year on the amounts and assumptions you enter. Returns and inflation are assumed, not predicted.

Page and formula last reviewed . How we calculate · Editorial policy · Corrections and change log

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Last updated 10 October 2026. For information only — not financial advice. Check the final figures with your lender or bank.