Finance Calculator
401(k) Calculator
Estimate long-term 401(k) growth, see how much of your employer match you are capturing, and translate the projected balance into a rough retirement income figure.
What this 401(k) calculator shows
This version focuses on the levers most people actually adjust: employee contribution, employer match, annual return, wage growth, and the number of years left before retirement.
Why employer match matters
A lot of savers under-contribute without realizing they are leaving matched dollars on the table. This page compares your current contribution rate against the match cap so you can see whether you are capturing the full company benefit.
How to read the result
Start with the projected ending balance, then look at the estimated first-year retirement income using the 4% rule. The inflation-adjusted balance gives you a rough sense of future purchasing power rather than just a nominal dollar total.
Planning note
This is not tax advice and it does not model contribution limits, Social Security, or state taxes. Use it as a planning calculator, then refine the assumptions with a tax-aware or advisor-led review if the decision is high stakes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does employer match work in this calculator?
It applies your employer match rate only to the portion of salary that falls inside the match cap. If your plan matches 50% up to 6% of salary, contributing 6% or more captures the full match in this model.
Does this calculator handle Roth vs Traditional 401(k)?
Not yet. This version focuses on contribution growth and employer match. Roth vs Traditional tax comparisons can be added as a separate decision module.
What is the 4% rule?
It is a simple planning shortcut that estimates a sustainable first-year retirement withdrawal at roughly 4% of your portfolio. It is useful for back-of-the-envelope checks, not guaranteed outcomes.