How much will my 401(k) be worth?
Project your retirement balance with compound growth and employer match. Adjust contribution rate, return assumption, and retirement age to see how each lever changes your final number.
Your retirement plan
Used to compute employer match
Projected balance at retirement
33 years out$2,850,788
Over 33 years, $2,154,038 of that is investment growth.
Where the money came from
- Starting balance$45,000
- Your contributions$495,000
- Employer match$156,750
- Investment growth$2,154,038
- Final balance$2,850,788
Year-by-year
| Yr | Age | Contrib. | Match | Growth | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 32 | $15,000 | $4,750 | $3,841 | $68,591 |
| 2 | 33 | $15,000 | $4,750 | $5,493 | $93,834 |
| 3 | 34 | $15,000 | $4,750 | $7,260 | $120,844 |
| 4 | 35 | $15,000 | $4,750 | $9,150 | $149,744 |
| 5 | 36 | $15,000 | $4,750 | $11,173 | $180,667 |
| 6 | 37 | $15,000 | $4,750 | $13,338 | $213,755 |
| 7 | 38 | $15,000 | $4,750 | $15,654 | $249,159 |
| 8 | 39 | $15,000 | $4,750 | $18,132 | $287,042 |
| 9 | 40 | $15,000 | $4,750 | $20,784 | $327,576 |
| 10 | 41 | $15,000 | $4,750 | $23,622 | $370,947 |
| 11 | 42 | $15,000 | $4,750 | $26,658 | $417,355 |
| 12 | 43 | $15,000 | $4,750 | $29,906 | $467,011 |
| 13 | 44 | $15,000 | $4,750 | $33,382 | $520,143 |
| 14 | 45 | $15,000 | $4,750 | $37,101 | $576,994 |
| 15 | 46 | $15,000 | $4,750 | $41,081 | $637,825 |
| 16 | 47 | $15,000 | $4,750 | $45,339 | $702,914 |
| 17 | 48 | $15,000 | $4,750 | $49,895 | $772,559 |
| 18 | 49 | $15,000 | $4,750 | $54,770 | $847,080 |
| 19 | 50 | $15,000 | $4,750 | $59,987 | $926,817 |
| 20 | 51 | $15,000 | $4,750 | $65,568 | $1,012,135 |
| 21 | 52 | $15,000 | $4,750 | $71,541 | $1,103,426 |
| 22 | 53 | $15,000 | $4,750 | $77,931 | $1,201,107 |
| 23 | 54 | $15,000 | $4,750 | $84,769 | $1,305,625 |
| 24 | 55 | $15,000 | $4,750 | $92,085 | $1,417,460 |
| 25 | 56 | $15,000 | $4,750 | $99,913 | $1,537,124 |
| 26 | 57 | $15,000 | $4,750 | $108,290 | $1,665,164 |
| 27 | 58 | $15,000 | $4,750 | $117,253 | $1,802,167 |
| 28 | 59 | $15,000 | $4,750 | $126,843 | $1,948,759 |
| 29 | 60 | $15,000 | $4,750 | $137,104 | $2,105,614 |
| 30 | 61 | $15,000 | $4,750 | $148,084 | $2,273,448 |
| 31 | 62 | $15,000 | $4,750 | $159,833 | $2,453,031 |
| 32 | 63 | $15,000 | $4,750 | $172,403 | $2,645,184 |
| 33 | 64 | $15,000 | $4,750 | $185,854 | $2,850,788 |
AI Analysis
How a 401(k) actually grows
Three things drive your 401(k) balance: your contributions, your employer's match, and investment returns. The first two are linear — you put in $X each year and your employer matches some of it. The third is exponential — returns compound on top of returns. Over a 30-year career, that compounding effect typically grows your balance to 3–4× the total amount you ever contributed.
For 2026, the IRS limits employee 401(k) contributions to $24,500. If you're 50 or older you can add a catch-up of $7,750. Total annual additions (your contributions + employer match) cap at $71,000.
The employer match — and why you should always grab the full match
Most large employers match a portion of your contributions: a common formula is "100% of the first 5% of salary" — meaning if you contribute 5%, they kick in another 5%. That's an instant 100% return on every dollar you contribute up to the cap. Not capturing the full match is one of the most expensive mistakes in personal finance.
What return rate should I assume?
The S&P 500's long-run average return is roughly 10% nominal and 7% real (after inflation). For projections, 7% is the standard conservative assumption. Bear in mind: real-world returns are lumpy. You might get +20% one year and −15% the next; the average smooths out over decades. For shorter time horizons (within 10 years of retirement), most planners assume 5-6%.
Roth 401(k) vs Traditional 401(k)
This calculator assumes a traditional 401(k) — contributions reduce your taxable income today, and you pay tax when you withdraw in retirement. A Roth 401(k) is the opposite: you pay tax on contributions today but withdrawals in retirement are tax-free.
Rule of thumb: Roth makes sense when you expect to be in a higher tax bracket in retirement than today (common for younger savers); traditional makes sense when you expect to be in a lower bracket later (common for peak-earning years). Many people split the difference, contributing to both.
Sources
2026 contribution limits and catch-up rules from IRS — 401(k) Contribution Limits. Vesting rules, rollover guidance, and 401(k) basics from the U.S. Department of Labor — Savings Fitness resources.
Frequently asked questions
What happens if I leave my job — does my 401(k) come with me?
Yes. Your contributions are always 100% yours. Employer match contributions vest on a schedule — sometimes immediately, sometimes over 3-6 years. When you leave, you can roll your balance into your new employer's plan, into an IRA, or leave it at the old plan. Rolling into an IRA usually gives you the most investment options.
Should I prioritize 401(k) over paying off student loans?
That's personal — but mathematically: if your loan rate is below your expected return rate, the 401(k) wins (especially with employer match in the picture). High-interest loans (rates above 7-8%) often make more sense to pay off first.
What's the catch-up contribution at age 50?
Once you turn 50, you can contribute an extra $7,750 per year on top of the regular $24,500 limit. There's also a 'super catch-up' for ages 60-63 worth slightly more, depending on the year.
Does this calculator account for inflation?
No — it shows future dollars in nominal terms. To translate to today's purchasing power, mentally apply roughly 3% inflation per year. So $2 million in 30 years is closer to $820,000 in today's dollars.