401(k) Projection Calculator

This is a generic projection; legal limits are not applied. Salary and contribution percentages stay constant. Annual employee contribution equals salary × employee percentage; annual match equals the smaller of employee contribution and salary × eligible cap, multiplied by the employer match percentage. One-twelfth of each is deposited at the end of every complete month. A fractional final month accrues growth and fees without a deposit. Employer contributions are assumed fully vested and continuously available. Return is an effective annual gross rate. Each month fees are deducted after growth, before the deposit, using annual expense ratio / 12; a fractional month compounds the retained fee factor. -100% return wipes out the existing balance over any positive interval; later deposits remain available. Taxes, salary increases, legal contribution/compensation limits, plan eligibility, true-ups and vesting schedules are excluded. No tax savings, deduction or Roth eligibility is calculated.

For an ordinary 401(k), the 2026 employee elective-deferral limit is $24,500. If the plan permits, catch-up is $8,000 for participants age 50 or older at calendar-year end; those turning 60–63 in 2026 use $11,250 instead. Total employee/employer annual additions, excluding catch-ups, are limited to the lesser of $72,000 or 100% of compensation. The compensation amount considered for contribution calculations is capped at $360,000. For participants in plans with Roth features offering catch-up, starting in 2026 catch-up contributions must be Roth when prior-year wages with the plan sponsor exceeded $150,000. These figures do not determine your individual eligibility or model future-year limits. Plan terms, other deferrals and testing rules can reduce permitted amounts. This projection does not enforce these limits.

IRS Notice 2025-67; IRS catch-up rules.