Future Value with Match
Each year the account grows by the return, then contributions and match are added. balance = prevBalance × (1 + return) + employeeContribution + employerMatch
Retirement Planning
About 401(k) Calculator
Project your 401(k) growth with employer match, then simulate retirement withdrawals over time.
with matchby agesimpleover timewithdrawalFidelityBankrateRamsey
About this calculator
What this does
Projects the future value of your 401(k) account by compounding your current balance, adding annual employee contributions, and applying any employer match at your expected rate of return. A separate withdrawal mode estimates how long your savings could last in retirement with annual distributions.
Who it is for
Employees contributing to a 401(k), especially people with an employer match. It is also useful for anyone planning retirement withdrawals, comparing contribution rates, or testing how much balance they need to reach a target retirement age.
How it works
In growth mode, the calculator starts with the opening balance, applies one annual return, adds your employee contribution, and then adds the employer match if enabled. The match uses your contribution percent up to the salary cap percent, then multiplies that eligible slice by the match percent. In withdrawal mode, the calculator starts with your retirement balance, applies annual growth, subtracts the planned withdrawal, and repeats until age 100 or depletion.
Limitations
Does not model taxes, early withdrawal penalties, required minimum distributions (RMDs), contribution limits, vesting schedules, fees, raises, or changing contribution rates. Market returns are assumed constant each year, which never happens in reality.
Formula
Employer Match
The match applies to a capped percentage of salary. matchAmount = min(employeeContribution, salary × matchCap%) × matchRate%. Any contribution above the cap is not matched.
Withdrawal Projection
Each year the balance grows, then the withdrawal is subtracted. balance = prevBalance × (1 + return) − withdrawalAmount. Repeats until age 100 or depletion.
Employee Contribution
Based on your salary and contribution percentage. employeeContribution = salary × contributionPercent / 100
How it works
Step 1
Choose growth or withdrawal mode
Growth mode projects your balance from today to retirement. Withdrawal mode simulates how long your savings last once you start taking distributions.
Step 2
Enter your current details
Input your current age, current 401(k) balance, annual salary, and expected annual return rate.
Step 3
Set your contribution rate
Enter the percentage of your salary you contribute each year. The calculator applies this to your annual salary.
Step 4
Configure employer match
Toggle the employer match on and enter your plan's match percent and salary cap percent. The match is calculated using the standard plan formula.
Step 5
Review growth projections
The calculator shows a year-by-year table of your projected balance, contributions, match, and earnings out to age 100.
Step 6
Test withdrawal scenarios
Switch to withdrawal mode and enter a planned annual withdrawal to see how long your projected balance might last in retirement.
Reference ranges
Return Rate
Historical S&P 500 average return is about 10% nominal (7% real). Conservative assumptions use 5–6%. Aggressive assumptions go above 10%. The return rate is the single most impactful variable over long horizons.
Contribution Rate
Most financial advisors recommend contributing 10–15% of salary including the employer match. The IRS 401(k) contribution limit for 2025 is $23,500 ($31,000 including catch-up for age 50+).
Employer Match
A common match is 50% of contributions up to 6% of salary (3% of salary total). Some plans offer 100% up to 4–6%. The match is essentially free money toward retirement.
Withdrawal Rate
The 4% rule is the traditional safe withdrawal rate for a 30-year retirement. Lower rates (3–3.5%) provide more safety for longer retirements. Higher rates increase the risk of depletion.