401(k) Calculator
Project your 401(k) balance at retirement. Enter your salary, contribution rate, and employer match details to see how compound growth and employer matching build your retirement savings over time. Includes year-by-year projection with salary growth.
Educational purposes only.
This calculator provides simplified projections based on constant annual returns and does not account for 401(k) contribution limits, taxes on withdrawal, Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs), or market volatility. This is not financial advice.
Educational purposes only. These calculators illustrate concepts and do not constitute investment advice. Read our disclaimer
StockCram is not a broker-dealer, investment adviser, or financial institution. All content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as personalized investment advice. Consult a qualified financial professional before making investment decisions. Past performance does not guarantee future results.How It Works
Enter your current details
Your age, salary, current 401(k) balance, and contribution percentage.
Set employer match details
Your employer's match rate and the salary percentage they match on.
Choose assumptions
Expected annual return and salary growth rate.
Review your projection
See your projected balance at retirement, total contributions, employer match total, and investment growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
A 401(k) is an employer-sponsored retirement savings plan that allows employees to contribute a portion of their pre-tax salary to investment accounts. Contributions lower your taxable income for the year, and investment gains grow tax-deferred until withdrawal in retirement.
An employer match is when your company contributes additional money to your 401(k) based on your own contributions. A common structure is a 50% match on up to 6% of salary — meaning if you contribute 6% of your pay, your employer adds another 3%. This is essentially free money for retirement.
For 2025, the employee contribution limit is $23,500 ($31,000 if you are 50 or older, with the catch-up contribution). Employer contributions do not count toward this limit. The combined employee + employer limit is $70,000 ($77,500 with catch-up). These limits are adjusted annually for inflation.
Most financial educators suggest contributing at least enough to receive the full employer match, as it represents an immediate return on your contribution. However, individual circumstances vary — consider your overall financial situation, debts, and other savings goals when deciding.
A 401(k) is offered through an employer and typically has higher contribution limits and potential employer matching. An IRA (Individual Retirement Account) is opened independently with lower contribution limits ($7,000 in 2025). Both offer tax advantages, but they differ in investment options, fees, and withdrawal rules.
When you leave a job, you can typically keep the 401(k) with your old employer, roll it into your new employer's plan, roll it into an IRA, or cash it out (which triggers taxes and penalties if under 59½). Rolling into an IRA often provides more investment options and lower fees.