Free 401k calculator
with 2026 IRS limits
Project your retirement balance year by year — see exactly how much comes from your contributions, your employer's match, and investment growth, with 2026 IRS limits applied automatically.
Using a 4% annual withdrawal rate $0
This is a projection for planning purposes only, not a guarantee. Actual investment returns vary and are never guaranteed.
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How to use this 401k calculator
This free 401k calculator projects your retirement balance year by year, factoring in your own contributions, your employer's match, expected investment growth, and annual raises — with 2026 IRS limits applied automatically so your number is never unrealistic.
Pro tip: Always contribute at least enough to get your full employer match — anything less is leaving free money on the table.
What does this calculator estimate?
This 401k retirement calculator estimates four things: your own contributions over time, your employer's matching contributions, investment growth from compounding, and your starting balance carried forward. Together, these make up your projected balance at retirement.
Whether you're searching for a 401k growth calculator, a 401k employer match calculator, a Roth 401k vs Traditional 401k calculator, or a retirement savings projector — this tool covers all of it in one place, using the official 2026 IRS contribution limits.
Average 401k balance by age
One of the most common questions people search before using a calculator like this is "am I behind?" Here's a general guideline many financial planners point to — a rough multiple of your salary to have saved by each age, not an exact target.
| Age | Suggested savings (as a multiple of salary) |
|---|---|
| 30 | ~1x your annual salary |
| 40 | ~3x your annual salary |
| 50 | ~6x your annual salary |
| 60 | ~8x your annual salary |
| 67 (full retirement age) | ~10x your annual salary |
These are general benchmarks, not rules — your own number depends on when you plan to retire, your expected expenses, and other income like Social Security or a pension. Run your own numbers above rather than relying on an average.
2026 401k contribution limits
The IRS raises 401k contribution limits most years to keep pace with inflation. Here's what applies for the 2026 tax year.
| Age group | Employee limit | Combined employee + employer limit |
|---|---|---|
| Under 50 | $24,500 | $72,000 |
| 50–59 | $32,500 (includes $8,000 catch-up) | $80,000 |
| 60–63 | $35,750 (includes $11,250 super catch-up) | $83,250 |
| 64 and older | $32,500 (includes $8,000 catch-up) | $80,000 |
The "super catch-up" for ages 60–63 is a newer rule — if you're in that age range and haven't checked your contribution limit recently, you may be able to save more than you think.
Traditional vs Roth 401k
Both account types share the same 2026 contribution limits — the real difference is when you pay tax.
| Traditional 401k | Roth 401k | |
|---|---|---|
| When you're taxed | Later, when you withdraw in retirement | Now, on the money you contribute |
| Effect on today's paycheck | Lowers your current taxable income | No effect — contributions are after-tax |
| Withdrawals in retirement | Taxed as regular income | Tax-free (if rules are met) |
| Best fit for | Those expecting a lower tax rate in retirement | Those expecting a similar or higher tax rate later |
| Required minimum distributions | Start at age 73 | Not required for the original owner |
Employer match, vesting, and job changes
How employer matching works
A typical match formula is something like "50% of your contribution, up to 6% of your salary." On a $60,000 salary, contributing 6% ($3,600/year) with a 50% match would add another $1,800/year from your employer — money that doesn't count against your personal contribution limit, but does count toward the combined limit.
Vesting schedules
Your own contributions are always 100% yours. Employer contributions are sometimes subject to a vesting schedule, meaning you gradually earn full ownership over a few years of employment. Leave before you're fully vested, and you could forfeit part of the employer match.
Changing jobs, rollovers, and self-directed 401k plans
When you leave an employer, you can typically leave the 401k where it is, roll it into your new employer's plan, or roll it into an IRA — often called a 401k rollover to IRA. Rolling over — rather than cashing out — avoids taxes and the 10% early-withdrawal penalty, and generally opens up more investment choices than a typical employer plan. If your employer doesn't offer a plan, a self-directed 401k (sometimes called a solo 401k) is an alternative worth researching for freelancers and small business owners.
401k withdrawal age and rules
| Rule | What it means |
|---|---|
| Standard withdrawal age | Penalty-free withdrawals can begin at age 59½ |
| Early withdrawal penalty | 10% penalty plus income tax on withdrawals before age 59½, with limited exceptions |
| Required minimum distributions (RMDs) | Mandatory annual withdrawals from Traditional 401k starting at age 73 |
| Missed RMD penalty | 25% of the amount that should have been withdrawn |
| Hardship withdrawals | Some plans allow penalty-free access for specific hardships, though income tax may still apply |
Get the most out of your 401k
401k glossary
| Term | What it means |
|---|---|
| Employer match | Money your employer contributes based on your own contribution, up to a set limit |
| Vesting | The process of earning full ownership of employer contributions over time |
| Catch-up contribution | Extra amount employees 50+ are allowed to contribute beyond the standard limit |
| Compounding | Investment growth earning returns on both your original contributions and prior gains |
| RMD | Required minimum distribution — the mandatory annual withdrawal starting at age 73 |
| Rollover | Moving 401k funds to a new employer's plan or an IRA without triggering tax or penalty |