IRS 2026 401(k) limit update
Used for the current annual elective-deferral and catch-up contribution figures relevant to 2026 retirement planning.
Read the IRS 2026 limit update
Projected Balance at Retirement
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Above Entered Goal
Enter inputs to generate your 401(k) projection.
Monthly Income (4% Rule)
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Total Employee Contributions
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Total Employer Match
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Total Investment Earnings
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Estimated Fee Drag
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Tax Effect Summary
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Retirement Insights
RMD, Goal Gap, and Match Efficiency
See required distribution estimates and whether your current strategy captures all available employer match.
Estimated RMD at Age 73
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Annual Income Goal Gap
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Employer Match Captured
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Monte Carlo Success
Not enabled
Balance Growth
With vs Without Employer Match
Track projected total savings growth over time and see how employer matching impacts retirement outcomes.
Scenario Compare
Conservative vs Moderate vs Aggressive
Quick side-by-side check using return assumptions of 4%, input baseline, and 9%.
Year-by-Year
Balance Progression Timeline
Review annual salary, contributions, and ending 401(k) balance for each year until retirement.
| Year | Age Span | Salary | Employee | Employer | End Balance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Run a calculation to see yearly projections. | |||||
Formula Blueprint
Core Math Used by This Calculator
The projection engine applies annual contributions with monthly compounding, employer matching limits, and age-based contribution caps.
Future Value
FV = P*(1+r)^n + C*[((1+r)^n - 1)/r]
Used as the conceptual baseline, then expanded to monthly compounding with annual contribution updates.
Employer Match
Match = min(Employee * MatchRate, Salary * MatchCap)
Regular annual additions are capped under Section 415(c), while employee catch-up deferrals are handled separately above the regular elective-deferral limit.
RMD at 73
RMD = Balance / 26.5
Provides a simplified estimate using the IRS uniform lifetime factor for age 73, based on projected balance-at-73 logic.
Tax Impact
Traditional tax savings = EmployeeContribution * CurrentTaxRate
Traditional and Roth values are rough illustrations from user-entered rates, not full tax projections.
Common Questions
401(k) Calculator FAQ
Quick guidance on limits, match mechanics, tax treatment, and retirement drawdown assumptions.
1. What contribution limits are used?
Employee elective deferral uses the 2026 base limit of $24,500 with catch-up handling at age 50+ and enhanced catch-up for ages 60-63.
2. How does employer matching work in this model?
The calculator applies your specified match rate to employee contributions, then caps match by salary percentage and annual IRS addition limits.
3. What is the 4% rule output?
It estimates annual retirement income at 4% of projected balance, then displays monthly equivalent income for planning context.
4. How are Traditional and Roth shown?
Traditional mode emphasizes current tax savings; Roth mode emphasizes estimated retirement tax avoided on qualified withdrawals.
5. Can this estimate RMDs?
Yes. The tool provides a simplified estimated first RMD at age 73 using IRS life expectancy factor assumptions.
6. What does Monte Carlo success mean?
When enabled, the tool runs 500 randomized return paths and reports an illustrative percentage of outcomes that meet your target nest-egg level.
Data Integrity
Methodology and source verification
The retirement projection math on this page is cross-checked against standard compound-growth formulas, contribution-limit guidance for 401(k) plans, and IRS treatment of elective deferrals, catch-up contributions, and Roth account structure. The calculator estimates long-horizon outcomes from your assumptions, but it does not replace your plan document, payroll setup, tax advice, or actual market performance.
Verified
Reference basis: the calculation engine compounds annual growth on your contribution stream, applies employer-match assumptions, and uses current IRS contribution-limit references for planning context around annual deferrals and catch-up eligibility. The explanatory copy is anchored to IRS guidance on 401(k) contribution limits, designated Roth accounts, and salary-deferral planning rules.
IRS 401(k) contribution limits page
Used for the baseline rules around annual employee deferrals, overall limits, and catch-up contribution handling.
View the IRS 401(k) contribution rulesIRS FAQs on designated Roth accounts
Used for the treatment distinction between traditional deferrals and designated Roth account contributions inside employer plans.
Read the IRS Roth account FAQsIRS maximize your salary deferrals
Used for practical context on contribution pacing, annual limits, and employee payroll deferral strategy.
Read the IRS deferral planning guide