Question 1

How does an employer 401(k) match work?

Accepted Answer

A common match is 50% of your contributions up to 6% of your salary. If you earn $75,000 and contribute 6% ($4,500), your employer adds $2,250. Contribute less than 6% and the match shrinks too, which is why getting the full match is usually the first savings priority.

Question 2

What are the 401(k) contribution limits for 2026?

Accepted Answer

Employees can contribute up to $24,500 in 2026. From age 50 you can add an $8,000 catch-up contribution, or $11,250 if you're aged 60 to 63. Employer contributions don't count toward your own limit. The limits usually rise with inflation, which the calculator assumes for later years.

Question 3

How much will my 401(k) be worth when I retire?

Accepted Answer

It depends on your contributions, the match, raises and returns. Starting at 30 with $25,000, a $75,000 salary rising 3% a year, 6% contributions with a 50% match and 7% returns, the balance reaches about $1.64 million at 65, or roughly $689,000 in today's dollars at 2.5% inflation.

Question 4

Should I choose a traditional or Roth 401(k)?

Accepted Answer

Traditional contributions lower your taxable income now and are taxed when you withdraw them; Roth contributions are taxed now and come out tax-free in retirement. If you expect a higher tax rate in retirement, Roth tends to win; if lower, traditional does. The growth is the same either way, so this calculator works for both.

Question 5

Can I withdraw from my 401(k) early?

Accepted Answer

Withdrawals before age 59½ are usually taxed and charged a 10% penalty, with exceptions such as leaving your job in or after the year you turn 55. Many plans offer loans instead. Early withdrawals also give up the future growth on that money.

Age	Salary	You	Employer	Balance
31	$75,000	$4,500	$2,250	$33,714
32	$77,250	$4,635	$2,318	$43,247
33	$79,568	$4,774	$2,387	$53,662
34	$81,955	$4,917	$2,459	$65,028
35	$84,413	$5,065	$2,532	$77,418
36	$86,946	$5,217	$2,608	$90,910
37	$89,554	$5,373	$2,687	$105,589
38	$92,241	$5,534	$2,767	$121,545
39	$95,008	$5,700	$2,850	$138,875
40	$97,858	$5,871	$2,936	$157,683
41	$100,794	$6,048	$3,024	$178,079
42	$103,818	$6,229	$3,115	$200,185
43	$106,932	$6,416	$3,208	$224,126
44	$110,140	$6,608	$3,304	$250,042
45	$113,444	$6,807	$3,403	$278,079
46	$116,848	$7,011	$3,505	$308,394
47	$120,353	$7,221	$3,611	$341,156
48	$123,964	$7,438	$3,719	$376,547
49	$127,682	$7,661	$3,830	$414,761
50	$131,513	$7,891	$3,945	$456,006
51	$135,458	$8,128	$4,064	$500,504
52	$139,522	$8,371	$4,186	$548,494
53	$143,708	$8,622	$4,311	$600,232
54	$148,019	$8,881	$4,441	$655,993
55	$152,460	$9,148	$4,574	$716,068
56	$157,033	$9,422	$4,711	$780,774
57	$161,744	$9,705	$4,852	$850,446
58	$166,597	$9,996	$4,998	$925,446
59	$171,595	$10,296	$5,148	$1,006,161
60	$176,742	$10,605	$5,302	$1,093,003
61	$182,045	$10,923	$5,461	$1,186,416
62	$187,506	$11,250	$5,625	$1,286,876
63	$193,131	$11,588	$5,794	$1,394,890
64	$198,925	$11,936	$5,968	$1,511,003
65	$204,893	$12,294	$6,147	$1,635,798

401(k) Calculator

You and Your Plan

Your balance by age

Where the money comes from

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How a 401(k) Grows

The Formulas

Getting the Most From Your 401(k)

Frequently Asked Questions