Retirement / 401(k) Calculator
Project your retirement balance from current savings, ongoing contributions, employer match, and expected market returns. Shows both nominal and inflation-adjusted (today's dollars) results.
You
Contributions
Growth & Inflation
Projected Retirement Balance
Breakdown
Balance by Year
How this projection works
Each year, the calculator adds your contribution (% of current salary) plus your employer's match to the balance, then applies the expected annual return. Salary grows by your raise percentage each year, so contributions grow with it. Inflation-adjusted results divide the final nominal balance by (1 + inflation)years to show what the money is worth in today's dollars.
The employer match is free money — capture it
Most 401(k) plans match a percentage of your contribution up to a cap (e.g., “100% of the first 4%” means if you contribute 4% of salary, your employer adds another 4%). Not contributing enough to get the full match is leaving compensation on the table. This calculator assumes the match percentage you enter is fully vested and contributed.
What the return assumption really means
7% is a reasonable long-run nominal return for a diversified stock-heavy portfolio (historical S&P 500 has averaged ~10% nominal / ~7% real). Bond-heavy portfolios and target-date funds near retirement return less. Real markets are volatile and you will not see a smooth 7% every year — the projection is a straight-line best-guess, not a promise.
What this calculator does not include
Contribution limits ($23,000 for 401(k) in 2024, plus catch-up if 50+), Roth vs. traditional tax treatment, RMDs, Social Security, other retirement accounts, or fees. Actual returns will vary. Consult a fiduciary financial planner for a retirement plan you can rely on.