U.S. retirement calculator

401(k) Calculator 2026

Estimate the future value of your 401(k) using your salary, employee contributions, employer match, expected investment return, fees, and applicable 2026 contribution limits.

Reviewed by Frontiers Finance · Last updated: August 17, 2026

401(k) in 2026

How much can you contribute to a 401(k) in 2026?

The standard employee elective deferral limit is US$ 24,500 in 2026. Eligible participants age 50 or older may make additional catch-up contributions, with a higher catch-up limit for participants who reach ages 60 through 63 during the year.

2026 employee contribution limit

US$ 24,500

Standard age 50+ catch-up

US$ 8,000

2026 combined plan limit

US$ 72,000

Age 60–63 catch-up

US$ 11,250

Projection

401(k) information

Enter your salary, employee contributions, employer contribution, and investment assumptions.

Enter the required information, then click “Calculate” to display the results.

401(k) contribution limits for 2026

The IRS periodically adjusts retirement plan limits. These are the key amounts to consider when estimating 401(k) contributions for 2026.

2026 limit	Amount
Employee elective deferral limit	US$ 24,500
Standard catch-up contribution — age 50+	US$ 8,000
Higher catch-up contribution — ages 60 to 63	US$ 11,250
Defined contribution plan annual additions limit	US$ 72,000
Maximum compensation taken into account	US$ 360,000

Eligible catch-up contributions are generally in addition to the standard employee elective deferral limit and are subject to separate eligibility and plan rules.

How does a 401(k) employer match work?

An employer may contribute additional money to an employee's 401(k) based on the employee's own contributions. The exact matching formula depends on the employer's plan.

For example, an employer may match a percentage of employee contributions up to a specified percentage of eligible compensation.

Employer contributions may be subject to a vesting schedule that determines how much of the employer-funded balance the employee owns.

Always review your official plan documents because matching formulas, eligibility requirements, and vesting rules vary by employer.

401(k) catch-up contributions in 2026

Some participants can contribute above the standard employee elective deferral limit when their plan permits catch-up contributions.

For 2026, the standard catch-up contribution limit for eligible participants age 50 or older is US$ 8,000.

Participants who reach age 60, 61, 62, or 63 during 2026 may qualify for the higher US$ 11,250 catch-up contribution limit.

Beginning in 2026, certain higher-wage participants may be required to make catch-up contributions as Roth contributions when their plan offers a Roth feature.

How much should you contribute to your 401(k)?

The amount you may want to contribute depends on your income, employer match, retirement goals and other financial priorities. Use the calculator to compare contribution rates and see how they may affect your projected retirement balance.

Start with the employer match

If your employer offers a 401(k) match, contributing enough to receive the available match can significantly increase the amount going toward your retirement savings.

Consider the annual contribution limit

Your employee contributions are subject to the annual IRS elective deferral limit. Eligible participants may also be able to make additional catch-up contributions.

Test different contribution rates

Compare different contribution percentages in the calculator to see how your contributions, employer matching and compound investment growth could affect your projected retirement balance.

Traditional 401(k) vs Roth 401(k)

Traditional and Roth 401(k) contributions can provide different tax treatment. The better option depends on your circumstances, your plan and how your current tax situation compares with what you expect in retirement.

Feature	Traditional 401(k)	Roth 401(k)
Contributions	Generally made on a pre-tax basis for federal income tax purposes.	Made with after-tax dollars.
Current federal income tax	Eligible contributions generally reduce current federal taxable income.	Contributions generally do not reduce current federal taxable income.
Qualified withdrawals	Withdrawals are generally subject to income tax.	Qualified distributions are generally tax-free.
Potential consideration	May be attractive when receiving a tax benefit today is a priority.	May be attractive when tax-free qualified withdrawals in retirement are a priority.

Actual tax treatment depends on applicable tax law, your circumstances and the rules of your employer's plan.

How does the 401(k) calculator work?

The projection estimates 401(k) growth using your salary, employee contributions, employer match, expected investment return, fees, and the time remaining until retirement.

Annual employee contribution ( $C_{\text{employee}}$ ) :

C_{\text{employee}} = \min\left(S \times \frac{p}{100},\ L_{\text{employee}},\ S_{\text{eligible}}\right)

Employer matching contribution ( $C_{\text{employer}}$ ) :

C_{\text{employer}} = \min\left(C_{\text{employee}},\ S_{\text{eligible}} \times \frac{m_{\text{limit}}}{100}\right) \times \frac{m_{\text{rate}}}{100}

Periodic investment return ( $r_p$ ) :

r_p = \left(1 + \frac{R_{\text{annual}}}{100}\right)^{\frac{1}{n}} - 1

Balance after one period ( $B_p$ ) :

B_p = \left(B_{p-1} + C_{\text{employee},p} + C_{\text{employer},p}\right)\left(1 + r_p\right) - F_p

Inflation-adjusted value ( $B_{\text{real}}$ ) :

B_{\text{real}} = \frac{B_{\text{nominal}}}{\left(1 + \frac{i}{100}\right)^y}

The employee contribution is based on the selected percentage of salary and is limited by applicable annual contribution limits, eligible compensation, and age-based catch-up rules.

The employer contribution is estimated using the selected match rate and eligible portion of compensation. The result may also depend on vesting and applicable plan limits.

Annual investment fees are included in the projection and reduce long-term net investment growth.

When inflation adjustment is enabled, the projected future balance is also expressed in today's U.S. dollars using the selected inflation rate.

Important information

401(k) plan rules can vary by employer. Matching rates, eligible compensation, and contribution rules depend on your official plan documents.

Employer matching contributions are not guaranteed. Some employers provide no match, while others use a different formula from the one entered in the calculator.

Your vesting percentage determines how much of the employer-funded balance you would generally keep if you leave your employer. Your own employee contributions are generally fully vested.

Employee contribution limits, catch-up limits, overall plan limits, and compensation limits may be changed by the IRS.

The annual investment return used by the calculator is an assumption. Actual investment returns may vary significantly and can be positive or negative.

Traditional 401(k) contributions may reduce income subject to federal income tax, while Roth 401(k) contributions are generally made with after-tax dollars.

This projection does not account for every possible situation, including certain 401(k) loans, withdrawals, penalties, required minimum distributions, rollovers, plan changes, or future tax consequences.

Important

This calculator provides a general projection and cannot reproduce every rule specific to your employer or 401(k) plan. Review your plan documents and official information before making financial decisions.

Results are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute tax, legal, financial, or investment advice.

401(k) calculator FAQ

What is the 401(k) contribution limit for 2026?

The standard employee elective deferral limit is US$ 24,500 for 2026. Eligible participants may also be able to make additional catch-up contributions.

Does an employer match count toward the US$ 24,500 employee limit?

No. Employer contributions generally do not reduce the employee elective deferral limit. Employee and employer contributions are, however, subject to a separate overall plan contribution limit.

What is the 401(k) catch-up contribution limit for 2026?

The standard catch-up contribution limit is US$ 8,000 for eligible participants age 50 or older. A higher US$ 11,250 catch-up limit may apply to participants who reach age 60, 61, 62, or 63 during 2026.

Can employer contributions exceed employee contributions?

Yes, depending on the plan's contribution formula. Employer contributions can differ from employee contributions, but total contributions remain subject to applicable plan and IRS limits.

How much should I contribute to my 401(k)?

There is no single contribution rate that is appropriate for everyone. Your contribution can depend on your income, employer match, retirement goals and other financial priorities. You can use the calculator to compare different contribution rates and their potential long-term effect.

What is the difference between a Traditional 401(k) and a Roth 401(k)?

Traditional 401(k) contributions are generally made on a pre-tax basis for federal income tax purposes, while Roth 401(k) contributions are made with after-tax dollars. Qualified Roth distributions are generally tax-free, while Traditional 401(k) withdrawals are generally taxable.

Is the 401(k) calculator exact?

The calculator provides an estimate. Actual results depend on your employer's plan rules, investment performance, fees, contribution timing, and future changes to retirement and tax rules.

Other U.S. retirement calculators

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Official sources

Official IRS 401(k) sources

The 2026 limits and key retirement plan rules presented on this page are based on information published by the Internal Revenue Service.