Retirement Planner Calc

Last Updated: May 2026

401(k) Calculator 2026

Project your 401(k) balance with 2026 IRS contribution limits, employer match, and compound growth.

The 2026 standard 401(k) limit is $24,500. Workers age 50 and older can contribute up to $32,500 including the catch-up. Workers aged 60 through 63 qualify for the new SECURE 2.0 super catch-up, $35,750 total in 2026.

Enter your current balance, your monthly contribution, your employer match, and your expected annual return. The calculator shows your projected balance at retirement with a year-by-year breakdown.

Your Inputs

Annual Contributions

  • Your contribution: $7,500
  • Employer match: $2,250
  • Total annual: $9,750
  • 2026 IRS limit: $24,500

Projected balance at age 65

$1,402,468

Taxable at withdrawal (Traditional).

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Balance Composition by Age

Year-by-Year Projection

AgeYour ContributionsEmployer MatchInvestment GrowthTotal Balance
35$7,500$2,250$53,500$63,250
40$45,000$13,500$86,281$144,781
45$82,500$24,750$151,883$259,133
50$120,000$36,000$263,517$419,517
55$157,500$47,250$439,714$644,464
60$195,000$58,500$706,463$959,963
65$232,500$69,750$1,100,218$1,402,468

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Frequently Asked Questions

The IRS increased 401(k) limits for 2026 per Notice 2025-67. The base elective deferral limit for 401(k), 403(b), and most 457(b) plans is $24,500 per year. Workers age 50 and older can contribute an additional $8,000 catch-up contribution for a total of $32,500. Workers aged 60 through 63 qualify for the new SECURE 2.0 super catch-up contribution — a total of $35,750 for 2026. SIMPLE IRA limits increased to $17,000 with a $4,000 catch-up for those 50 and older. These limits apply to your contributions only — employer match does not count toward your personal limit.
Employer matching is free money added to your 401(k) based on your own contribution. The most common matching formula is 100% match on the first 3% to 6% of your salary that you contribute — meaning if you contribute 6%, your employer adds another 6% of your salary. Some employers use a partial match — 50 cents for every dollar up to 6% of salary. Not contributing enough to capture your full employer match is effectively leaving part of your compensation unclaimed. Always contribute at least enough to capture the full employer match before directing savings elsewhere.
Both are employer-sponsored retirement accounts with identical contribution limits. The difference is timing of taxation. Traditional 401(k) contributions are pretax — they reduce your current taxable income and taxes are paid when you withdraw in retirement. Roth 401(k) contributions are after-tax — no current tax deduction but all growth and qualified withdrawals are completely tax-free. As of 2024 under SECURE 2.0, Roth 401(k)s no longer require RMDs — eliminating one of the key advantages Traditional 401(k)s previously had. Starting in 2026, workers earning over $150,000 in Social Security wages must make catch-up contributions as Roth.
In addition to the elective deferral limit ($24,500 base), the IRS sets a total annual addition limit that includes your contributions, employer match, employer nonelective contributions, and forfeitures. For 2026, the total annual addition limit is $70,000, or 100% of your compensation, whichever is less. This higher limit is relevant for business owners with Solo 401(k) plans or executives whose employer makes significant profit-sharing contributions in addition to matching.
The standard penalty-free withdrawal age for 401(k) funds is 59½. Withdrawals before 59½ generally incur a 10% early withdrawal penalty plus ordinary income tax. Exceptions include the Rule of 55 (penalty-free withdrawals if you leave your employer in or after the year you turn 55), substantially equal periodic payments (72(t) distributions), disability, death, qualified domestic relations orders, and certain medical expenses. Roth 401(k) contributions — not earnings — can be withdrawn penalty-free at any time, but converted amounts have their own five-year clocks.
The generally recommended order is: first, contribute to your 401(k) up to the employer match (free money). Second, max out an IRA or Roth IRA ($7,500 in 2026) if eligible — IRAs typically offer more investment options than employer plans. Third, return to the 401(k) and contribute up to the annual limit ($24,500). Finally, use taxable brokerage accounts for additional savings. If your 401(k) has poor investment options or high fees, maxing the IRA before additional 401(k) contributions may be preferable. High earners above Roth IRA income limits ($168,000 single in 2026) can use a backdoor Roth instead.

2026 401(k) Contribution Limits and Rules

Standard limit: $24,500 per year (up from $23,500 in 2025)

Age 50+ catch-up: $8,000 additional contribution = $32,500 total

Age 60-63 super catch-up (SECURE 2.0): $11,250 additional = $35,750 total. This applies to the calendar years when you are ages 60, 61, 62, or 63. At age 64 you revert to the standard $8,000 catch-up.

Roth 401(k) catch-up rule (2026 new rule): Workers earning over $145,000 in FICA wages in 2025 must make catch-up contributions as Roth (after-tax) rather than pretax in 2026. This applies to 401(k), 403(b), and governmental 457(b) plans.

Employer match: Employer contributions do not count toward your individual contribution limit. They count toward the total annual additions limit of $70,000 in 2026 (or 100% of compensation, whichever is less).

Vesting: Employer match contributions are often subject to a vesting schedule. If you leave before you are fully vested, you may forfeit part of the match. Your own contributions are always 100% yours immediately.

Source: IRS Notice 2025-67

Projections are estimates based on your inputs and assumed rates of return. Actual investment performance, tax rates, and Social Security benefits will differ. This calculator does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. Consult a qualified financial advisor for personalized retirement planning.

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