KalkWise
Retirement

401k Calculator

Project your 401k balance at retirement and see how much your employer match is really worth.

Updated June 2026 · Editorial standards

Your details

$
$
$
%
%
%
Projected balance
$1,633,918
Monthly retirement income· 4% rule
$5,446
Your contributions
$300,000
Employer match total
$72,000

Your employer match is worth $2,400/year — equivalent to a 3.0% raise on your $80,000 salary.At retirement your projected balance of $1,633,918 generates $5,446/month at a 4% withdrawal rate.

401(k) balance growth to retirement

At retirement — breakdown

Savings rate

LowExcellent
Excellent12.5% of salary

You're saving $10,000/year. Below 10% is low; 15–20% is good; 20%+ is excellent for long-term wealth building.

Year-by-year 401(k) growth

AgeBalanceYou contributedEmployer match
Age 36$66,768$10,000$2,400
Age 37$84,710$20,000$4,800
Age 38$103,907$30,000$7,200
Age 39$124,449$40,000$9,600
Age 40$146,428$50,000$12,000
Age 41$169,946$60,000$14,400
Age 42$195,111$70,000$16,800
Age 43$222,036$80,000$19,200
Age 44$250,847$90,000$21,600
Age 45$281,674$100,000$24,000
By the KalkWise Editorial Team Reviewed for accuracy Updated June 2026

What is the 401k calculator?

In short

To calculate your 401k balance at retirement, compound your current balance and annual contributions (including employer match) at your expected annual return over the years remaining until retirement. A common rule of thumb is to save 15% of income (including match) starting in your 20s. The 4% rule estimates sustainable annual withdrawals at 4% of the final balance.

This 401k calculator projects your retirement balance year by year, shows the full value of your employer match, and estimates your monthly retirement income using the widely used 4% withdrawal rule.

How to use this calculator

  1. 1Enter your current age and target retirement age.
  2. 2Enter your current 401k balance and annual contribution.
  3. 3Add your employer's match percentage and the salary percentage they match up to.
  4. 4Enter your annual salary and expected annual return.
  5. 5Review projected balance, retirement income, and the breakdown of contributions vs growth.

The formula

B=(B+C+match)×(1+r)n
monthly income=B×4%12
Each year the balance grows by the annual return, then your contribution and employer match are added. The cycle repeats until retirement age. Monthly retirement income uses the 4% rule: balance × 4% ÷ 12.
B
— Balance at end of year
r
— Annual return rate (decimal)
C
— Annual employee contribution
M
— Annual employer match
n
— Years to retirement

Worked example

The scenario

Age 35, retire at 65, current balance $50,000, contributing $10,000/year, 50% employer match up to 6% of $80,000 salary, 7% return.

gives

The result

Employer adds $2,400/year. At 65 your projected balance is ~$1.1M. Monthly retirement income (4% rule): ~$3,700/month.

Common use cases

  • Deciding how much to contribute to maximize the employer match
  • Seeing the compounding value of starting contributions earlier
  • Planning whether current savings are on track for a target retirement income
  • Comparing different contribution rates and their retirement outcomes

Limitations & assumptions

  • Assumes a constant annual return — real market returns vary significantly year to year.
  • Does not account for 401k contribution limits ($23,000 in 2024; $30,500 for 50+) or inflation.
  • The 4% rule is a guideline, not a guarantee — sequence-of-returns risk can affect actual withdrawals.

Frequently asked questions

At minimum, contribute enough to capture your full employer match — that's an instant 50–100% return on those dollars. Aim for 15% of gross income (including the match) as a total savings rate. Maximize contributions if your budget allows ($23,000 limit in 2024).

Disclaimer: KalkWise calculators are provided for general informational and educational purposes only and do not constitute financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. Results are estimates based on the figures you enter and the assumptions described above. Actual outcomes will vary. Consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions.