Useful next calculations
Rates and sources, 2026
Employee 401(k) elective deferral limit for 2026 plus the age 50 and ages 60 to 63 catch-up amounts from the IRS 2026 announcement. Employer match is only what you enter.
| Band or figure | Rate |
|---|---|
| Employee deferral limit | $24,500 |
| Catch-up, age 50 and over | $8,000 (total $32,500) |
| Catch-up, ages 60 to 63 | $11,250 (total $35,750) |
Source: IRS — 401(k) limit increases to $24,500 for 2026. Source checked for 2026.
When to use this calculator
- Before choosing between saving, investing or changing a contribution.
- When you want to compare cautious, base and optimistic return assumptions.
- When you need a projection before making a longer-term decision.
- When you want to see whether starting earlier or contributing more changes the outcome more.
A worked example
These are the example figures the calculator opens with.
| Input | Value |
|---|---|
| Your Current Age | 30 |
| Retirement Age | 65 |
| Current 401(k) Balance ($) | $0 |
| Your Annual Contribution ($) | $6,000 |
For those figures the calculator returns:
- Projected balance: $1,220,286.04
- Total contributions: $288,750.00
- Investment growth: $931,536.04
- Employer match/yr: $2,250.00
- 4% rule monthly income: $4,067.62
Method & assumptions
This calculator projects your 401(k) balance at retirement using annual compounding, applying your contribution and estimated employer match each year to a growing balance. Employee contributions are capped at the 2026 IRS limit of $24,500 plus the catch-up for your current age ($8,000 from age 50, $11,250 at ages 60 to 63); employer matching is calculated as a percentage of eligible salary up to the cap you specify. The expected return is applied once per year on the sum of the opening balance and that year's total contributions. Results assume contributions remain constant in nominal dollars and do not account for future IRS limit increases, salary growth, or inflation. The 4% monthly income figure is derived from the projected balance using the widely cited Bengen safe withdrawal guideline and is illustrative only.
This tool is intended for educational planning purposes under US rules and should not be treated as personalised investment advice. Actual growth will vary based on market performance, fund fees (expense ratios), and plan-specific rules. The IRS periodically adjusts contribution limits for cost-of-living, so always verify current limits at IRS.gov before making contribution decisions. Consult a fee-only financial advisor or Certified Financial Planner (CFP) to build a full retirement income strategy.
Common mistakes
- Using an assumption that is not supported by a current local quote, bill, statement or official source.
- Treating a generic estimate as a lender, provider, payroll or tax authority decision.
- Mixing monthly and annual inputs without converting them consistently.
- Testing only one scenario instead of checking how a cautious assumption changes the result.
What to do next
- Run a second scenario with a cautious assumption so you can see the downside clearly.
- Compare the result with the related calculators below before making a decision.
- Check current local rules, eligibility and provider terms before applying or committing money.
- Keep a record of the assumptions so you can update the estimate when a quote, bill or pay figure changes.