Saving for retirement and spending it
401(k) Calculator With Employer Match (2026)
Estimate your 401(k) balance at retirement from your contributions, employer match, raises and investment returns. Uses the 2026 IRS limits, including catch-up.
Where Your 401(k) Comes From
Breakdown401(k) Balance by Age
How This Calculator Works
This calculator projects what your 401(k) could be worth when you retire. It splits the final balance into three parts: what you contributed, what your employer matched and what your investments earned. That shows how much of the total came from the match and from growth.
Your contributions are capped at the 2026 IRS limits: $24,500 if you are under 50, $32,500 at 50 and older, and $35,750 at ages 60 to 63 under the SECURE 2.0 super catch-up. The calculator holds those limits at 2026 levels for every future year.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a 401(k) employer match work?
Say your employer matches 100% of what you put in, up to 5% of your salary, and you earn $95,000. If you contribute at least 5% ($4,750 a year), your employer adds another $4,750. That is an instant 100% return before any investing, as long as you are vested, meaning you have earned the right to keep the match.
Does my employer’s match count toward the $24,500 limit?
No. The $24,500 limit applies only to what you contribute yourself, Traditional and Roth 401(k) combined. Your contributions and your employer’s together fall under a separate, much higher cap in IRS Section 415(c).
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