What is employer matching?

Employer matching means your company contributes additional money to your 401(k) based on how much you contribute. A common structure is 50% match up to 6% of salary — meaning if you contribute 6%, your employer adds another 3%. Always contribute enough to maximize this free benefit.

What are the 2026 401k contribution limits?

For 2026, the IRS employee contribution limit is $23,500. Workers aged 50 and older can contribute an additional $7,500 catch-up contribution for a total of $31,000. The total annual limit including employer contributions is $70,000.

What is the difference between traditional and Roth 401k?

A traditional 401(k) uses pre-tax dollars — you get a tax deduction now but pay income tax on withdrawals in retirement. A Roth 401(k) uses after-tax dollars — no deduction now, but withdrawals in retirement are completely tax-free. Choose Roth if you expect to be in a higher tax bracket in retirement.

When can I withdraw from my 401k without penalty?

You can withdraw from your 401(k) without the 10% early withdrawal penalty starting at age 59.5. If you leave your job at age 55 or later, you may access that employer plan penalty-free under the Rule of 55. Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) begin at age 73.

401k Calculator

Estimate your retirement savings with employer match and compound growth

Finance & BusinessFREEYour data never leaves your browser

401k Calculator is a free, browser-based tool that lets you estimate your retirement savings with employer match and compound growth — with zero signup, zero installation. Your data never leaves your browser. Part of 92+ free developer and business tools at wowhow.cloud, built and maintained by a team with 14+ years of hands-on development experience.

Your Details

Current Age

Retirement Age

Current 401(k) Balance ($)

Annual Salary ($)

$75,000 per year

Your Contribution Rate6%

$4,500/yr (2026 limit: $23,500)

Employer Match Rate50%

Percentage of your contribution the employer matches

Employer Match Limit6% of salary

Employer matches up to this percentage of your salary

Expected Annual Return8%

S&P 500 historical average: ~10% (7% after inflation)

Annual Salary Increase3%

2026 IRS Contribution Limits

Under 50

$23,500/year

Age 50+

$31,000/year

Total Limit (incl. employer)

$70,000/year

Projected Retirement Savings

Enter valid details to see your retirement projection

How to Use

1

Enter your current age and target retirement age

2

Set your annual salary and current 401(k) balance

3

Adjust your contribution rate using the slider (default 6%)

4

Configure employer match rate and match limit to model your company plan

5

Review your projected balance, monthly retirement income, and growth chart

Frequently Asked Questions

Financial advisors recommend contributing at least enough to get the full employer match — this is essentially free money. Beyond that, aim for 10-15% of your gross salary. The 2026 IRS limit is $23,500 per year ($31,000 if you are 50 or older with the catch-up contribution).

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401k Calculator

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Frequently Asked Questions

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