2026 IRS limits

How Much Will My 401(k) Be Worth in 30 Years?

Estimate your 401(k) balance 30 years from now based on what you contribute and a return assumption you control.

Projected at retirement

Balance at age 65

$914,779

In today's dollars: $0

Your contributions (lifetime)$171,271
Employer match (lifetime)$85,636
Investment growth$632,872
You contribute (year 1)$3,600
Employer adds (year 1)$1,800
Years to retirement30

How to read this: the first three rows are lifetime totals that add up to your balance. Your year-1 contribution rises each year with your salary; the gold employer match is free money — make sure your contribution reaches the match cap.

Figures current for 2026 · last reviewed June 2026 · sourced from the IRS (IRS Notice 2025-67). How we calculate & cite our data. Educational only — not financial advice.

Assumptions & notes

How is the projection calculated?

Each year we add your contribution and employer match, then apply your assumed annual return using a mid-year contribution convention. Contributions grow with your salary-growth rate; the limit is capped at the IRS 2026 employee-deferral limit (plus catch-up if you're 50+).

What return should I use?

There's no guaranteed number. A common long-run assumption for a diversified stock-heavy portfolio is 6-7% nominal. Lower it as you near retirement or hold more bonds. This is an assumption you control - not a promise.

What does "today's dollars" mean?

We also discount your future balance by your inflation assumption so you can see its purchasing power in today's money - often the more useful figure.

Does it include taxes?

A traditional 401(k) is taxed on withdrawal; this projects the pre-tax balance. Use the Traditional vs Roth tool to compare after-tax outcomes.

These are assumptions, not guarantees. Investment returns and inflation are estimates you control - markets vary and past performance does not predict future results. Tax figures use current-year IRS numbers; your situation may differ. This tool is educational and not financial advice.

How to use the 401(k) calculator

Your 401(k) is likely the single biggest piece of your retirement. This calculator turns four simple inputs - your salary, contribution percentage, employer match and an expected return - into a projected balance at retirement, broken down into the three forces that build it: the money you put in, the match your employer adds, and the compound growth on top.

The single most important move for most people is contributing at least enough to capture the full employer match - it is an immediate, guaranteed return that no market can match. Our employer match optimizer shows exactly what you may be leaving on the table.

The power of starting early

Because growth compounds, the years matter more than the dollars. A 25-year-old contributing modestly often ends up ahead of a 40-year-old contributing far more, simply because the early money has decades to grow. Try changing the "current age" slider to see how dramatically the final balance shifts.

2026 contribution limits

For 2026 you can defer up to $24,500 from your paycheck into a 401(k). If you are 50 or older you can add a $8,000 catch-up, and savers aged 60-63 get an even larger $11,250 "super catch-up." See the full contribution-limits page for details and the new Roth catch-up rule.

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401(k) calculator FAQ

How much will my 401(k) be worth?

It depends on how much you contribute, your employer match, how many years you have, and your investment return. Enter your numbers above for a personalized projection - the calculator shows the balance, the part that came from growth, and its value in today's dollars.

How much should I contribute to my 401(k)?

At a minimum, contribute enough to get your full employer match. A common target is 15% of salary including the match. Use the sliders to see how each extra percent changes your final balance and your take-home pay.

What is a good 401(k) return rate to assume?

Many planners use 6-7% per year for a long-run, stock-heavy portfolio, before inflation. It is an assumption, not a guarantee - markets rise and fall. Use a more conservative number as you approach retirement.

Does the 401(k) calculator include employer match?

Yes. Enter your employer's match rate (for example 50%) and the salary cap it applies to (for example 6%). The match is shown as its own slice of your final balance.

Is the 401(k) balance before or after tax?

A traditional 401(k) projection is pre-tax - you'll owe income tax when you withdraw. To compare after-tax outcomes, use the Traditional vs Roth 401(k) tool.