401(k) Calculator
Free 401(k) calculator with two-tier employer match, IRS 402(g) and 415(c) contribution limits, age-50 catch-up, salary growth, and inflation-adjusted projection with Excel export.
Frequently asked questions
What is the 401(k) contribution limit in 2026?
The IRS 402(g) employee elective deferral limit for 2026 is $24,500. Workers age 50 and older can contribute an additional $8,000 catch-up, for a personal max of $32,500; at ages 60-63, the catch-up is $11,250 instead, for a personal max of $35,750. The 415(c) total additions limit (employee + employer + after-tax) is $72,000, with catch-up contributions allowed on top of it. This calculator enforces all three limits year by year.
How does employer matching work?
Most plans use a two-tier stepped match — for example, "100% of the first 3% of salary, plus 50% of the next 2%." You have to contribute the full 5% to capture the max 4% employer match. This calculator lets you enter both tiers and flags in dollars how much match you're leaving on the table if your contribution percentage is too low.
How much should I contribute to my 401(k)?
At minimum, contribute enough to capture the full employer match — that's a 100%+ instant return you cannot get anywhere else. Beyond that, the standard guideline is 10-15% of gross salary including the match. If you're behind on retirement savings and over 50, use the catch-up contribution — an extra $8,000/year compounded for 15 years at 7% is roughly $200k of additional nest egg.
What is the 415(c) limit and when does it matter?
IRC §415(c) caps total annual additions to a defined-contribution plan — employee elective deferrals plus employer match plus employer profit-sharing plus after-tax contributions — at $72,000 in 2026; catch-up contributions are in addition to this limit ($80,000 with the $8,000 catch-up, $83,250 with the ages 60-63 catch-up). It mostly matters for high earners with generous profit-sharing or for those making large after-tax "mega backdoor Roth" contributions. This calculator caps employer match if the combined total would exceed the limit.
Does the calculator handle salary compensation limits?
Yes. IRC §401(a)(17) caps the compensation used to calculate the employer match at $360,000 for 2026. If your salary exceeds that, the match is computed on $360k, not your full pay. High earners hitting this ceiling see the match effectively plateau even as salary grows.
Is a Traditional or Roth 401(k) better?
This calculator models pre-tax contributions (Traditional 401(k)). The gross balance is the same either way — the difference is when you pay income tax. Traditional lowers taxable income today and taxes withdrawals; Roth is post-tax now and tax-free later. Pick Roth if you expect to be in a higher tax bracket in retirement, Traditional if lower. Many savers split contributions.