401(k) Calculator
Project your future nest egg by modeling your 401(k) contributions, employer match, and long-term compound growth.
401(k) Retirement Calculator
Projected Balance at Age 65
$1,147,969
Your Contributions
$197,479
Employer Match
$112,488
Total Growth
+$838,002
Maximize Your 401(k) Retirement Savings
A 401(k) plan is a tax-advantaged, employer-sponsored retirement savings account native to the United States. It allows workers to save and invest a portion of their paycheck before taxes are taken out. The Calculay 401(k) Calculator projects how your investments will compound over time, giving you a clear picture of your eventual retirement nest egg.
The Power of Employer Matching
One of the most significant advantages of a 401(k) is the employer match. Many companies offer to match a portion of your contributions—for instance, a 100% match up to 3% of your salary.
- Free Money: If your employer offers a match, you should strive to contribute at least enough to capture the full match. Failing to do so is essentially leaving "free money" on the table.
- Accelerated Compounding: Because these matches are added directly to your invested principal, they begin earning compound interest immediately, drastically increasing your wealth towards the end of your career timeline.
Understanding Annual Returns & Inflation
Historical data shows that the S&P 500 averages a return of roughly 7% to 10% annually. Our calculator uses a default conservative return rate of 7%. However, remember that these are nominal returns. To understand your true purchasing power in retirement, you must mentally adjust for inflation (historically 2-3% per year).