401k Calculator
Project your 401k balance at retirement. Adjust your monthly contribution, employer match, expected return, and years to see what compound growth actually looks like.
Never leave an employer match on the table — it's a 50–100% instant return on your contribution, guaranteed.
$87K
average 401k balance across all US workers
50%
typical employer match rate on your contributions
$1M+
where $500/mo grows over 30 years at 7%
How to maximise your 401k
The power of employer match
A 50% match on 6% of salary is a 3% pay raise — completely free. Leaving this on the table is the single biggest retirement planning mistake most people make.
Compound growth over time
The difference between starting at 25 vs 35 is enormous. A $300/month contributor starting at 25 ends up with roughly double the balance of someone who starts at 35, at the same rate.
The 4% rule
At retirement, many planners use the 4% rule: you can withdraw 4% of your portfolio annually with a high probability of not running out of money over 30 years.
How the 401k projection works
Each month: new balance = old balance × (1 + monthly rate) + your contribution + employer match. This compounds continuously, which is why starting early has such a dramatic effect.
The calculator uses your inputs to simulate month-by-month growth over your chosen time horizon. Real balances will vary based on fund performance, fees, and contribution changes.