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401(k) Calculator

See exactly how much of your future balance is your own money, employer match, and investment growth.

Current 401(k) balance

Your monthly contribution

Employer match

Percent of your own contribution matched by your employer, e.g. 50% or 100%.Expected annual return

Years until retirement

Balance in 25 years

$722,062

Employer match: $250/mo
Total contributed: $245,000
Investment growth: $477,062

What you entered

Current balance: $20,000Your monthly contribution: $500Employer match: 50%Expected return: 7%/yrYears: 25

1
Employer match on your contribution
$500.00 × 50%= $250.00/mo
2
Combined monthly contribution
$500.00 + $250.00= $750.00/mo
3
Compound monthly for the full period
balance = balance × (1 + 7%/12) + $750.00, starting from $20,000.00, repeated 300×= $722,062.13
4
Total contributed (you + employer, not counting growth)
$20,000.00 + $750.00 × 300 months= $245,000.00
5
Investment growth
$722,062.13 − $245,000.00 contributed= $477,062.13

Result

Balance in 25 years: $722,062

Your employer's 50% match adds $250 every month on top of your own contribution — that's free money that compounds right alongside yours, growing your $722,062 balance faster than saving alone would.

401(k) balance with a 50% employer match at 7%

Each row contributes the employee amount shown from a zero balance, with the employer adding 50% of it, compounding at 7% a year. The last column shows what the same employee contribution reaches over 30 years with no match at all.

Employee monthly	Employer adds	After 10 years	After 20 years	After 30 years	After 35 years	30 years with no match
$200	$100	$51,925	$156,278	$365,991	$540,316	$243,994
$400	$200	$103,851	$312,556	$731,983	$1,080,633	$487,988
$600	$300	$155,776	$468,834	$1,097,974	$1,620,949	$731,983
$800	$400	$207,702	$625,112	$1,463,965	$2,161,266	$975,977
$1,000	$500	$259,627	$781,390	$1,829,956	$2,701,582	$1,219,971
$1,500	$750	$389,441	$1,172,085	$2,744,935	$4,052,373	$1,829,956

Compare the last two columns: the match adds 50% to the ending balance in every row, because it adds 50% to every contribution and then compounds identically. On $600 a month that is $366,000 of extra retirement money over 30 years, from an employer contribution of $300 a month. Contributing less than the full match is the one genuinely free money you can leave on the table. Matches vary - 50% up to 6% of salary is common, and some employers match dollar for dollar - and employer money is often subject to a vesting schedule. Balances here are pre-tax for a traditional 401(k): withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income. Annual deferral limits apply and change periodically.

Never leave a match on the table

An employer match is an immediate, guaranteed return on your contribution — a 50% match is like an instant 50% gain before the market even moves. Contributing less than the full matched amount means turning down free money.

Match caps vary by employer

Most employers only match up to a certain percentage of your salary, not an unlimited percentage of every dollar you contribute. Check your plan's specific match formula rather than assuming it applies without limit.

Contribution limits (2024)

The IRS limits employee 401(k) contributions to $23,000 per year ($30,500 if age 50+ with catch-up). Total contributions including employer match can't exceed $69,000 ($76,500 with catch-up). These limits increase most years with inflation.

Traditional vs. Roth 401(k)

Traditional 401(k) contributions reduce your taxable income now but are taxed on withdrawal. Roth 401(k) contributions are after-tax but grow and withdraw tax-free. If you expect a higher tax bracket in retirement (early career, rising income), Roth is often better. If you're at peak earnings now, traditional may save more.

Frequently asked questions

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

At minimum, contribute enough to get the full employer match (typically 3–6% of salary). Financial planners recommend 10–15% of gross income for retirement total. If you start at 25, 15% is usually enough. Starting at 35? Aim for 20%+ to catch up.

How much will my 401(k) be worth at retirement?

Depends on contributions, match, return, and time. Contributing $500/month with a 50% match up to 6% of salary, earning 7% annually for 30 years, grows to roughly $750,000–$900,000. Use this calculator with your exact numbers — small differences in contribution rate compound enormously over decades.

What happens to my 401(k) if I leave my job?

Your own contributions are always yours. Employer match may vest over 3–6 years (check your plan's vesting schedule). Options: leave it in the old plan, roll it into a new employer's 401(k), roll it into an IRA (most flexibility), or cash out (triggers taxes + 10% penalty if under 59½).