401(k) Calculator

Project your 401(k) free with NovaFluxT's 2026 401k calculator. Add employer match, test contribution rates, and see if you're on track to retire — no sign-up.

✓ Free forever ✓ No sign-up ✓ Private — runs in your browser

A 401(k) calculator projects how much your workplace retirement account will be worth when you retire. Enter your current balance, annual contributions, employer match, expected return, and years until retirement, and it shows your projected nest egg — and whether your current savings rate is on track.

This free online tool is for employees deciding how much of each paycheck to contribute: workers who just got a raise and want to test a higher contribution rate, people wondering whether their employer match is fully captured, and mid-career savers checking if they are behind. It takes your salary, your contribution percentage, your employer’s matching formula, the plan’s expected annual return, and your years to retirement. The output shows the projected balance at retirement, split into your contributions, your employer’s contributions, and investment growth — plus a verdict on whether the projected balance supports a typical retirement income target. It runs instantly in your browser with no sign-up and no data stored.

Worked example

Inputs: age 40 to 65 (25 years), $600/month employee contribution, 50% employer match, 7% expected annual return, $0 starting balance.

  • Employer match: 50% × 600 = $300/month ($3,600/year)
  • Total monthly contribution: 600 + 300 = $900, over 300 months
  • Projected balance at 65: $729,064.52

Breakdown: your contributions $180,000 + employer match $90,000 + investment growth $459,064.52. Growth — 63% of the final balance — is the largest slice, which is why starting early and capturing the full match matter more than chasing a slightly higher return.

How to use it

  1. Enter your Current age and Retirement age — the tool compounds over the years between them.
  2. Enter your Current savings — what is already in the account today.
  3. Enter your Monthly contribution — what you put in each month.
  4. Enter the Employer match — the match as a percent of your contribution (e.g. 50).
  5. Enter the Expected annual return and read your result: the projected balance, the three-part breakdown (your money, employer money, growth), and the growth share.

The formula behind it

The projection uses the future value of annual contributions: FV = C × ((1 + r)^t − 1) / r - FV = projected account balance at retirement - C = total annual contribution (yours + employer match) - r = expected annual return as a decimal - t = years to retirement Your employer match is calculated as: match = match rate × min(your contribution, salary × match cap). For example, a 50% match up to 6% of an $80,000 salary caps eligible contributions at $4,800 and pays at most $2,400. Any existing balance compounds separately at the same rate: existing × (1 + r)^t. IRS limits for 2026: employee elective deferrals are capped at $24,500 per year (under age 50), with a $8,000 catch-up for ages 50+ (total $32,500) and an $11,250 enhanced catch-up for ages 60–63 (total $35,750). Compare your annual contribution (monthly amount × 12) against these caps yourself — the figures above are the IRS-published limits, and the calculator does not apply them automatically.

Frequently asked questions

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

At minimum, contribute enough to capture your employer's full match — that is an instant 50–100% return no market can beat. Financial planners commonly suggest 15% of gross income (including the match) as a long-term target. If that is out of reach now, start at the match and raise your rate one point each year.

How does an employer match work?

The employer adds money based on your contribution, up to a cap. A 50% match up to 6% means the company adds 50 cents for every dollar you contribute, on contributions up to 6% of your salary. Contribute less than 6% and you leave free money on the table; contribute more and the match stays capped.

What is a realistic rate of return for a 401(k)?

A stock-heavy portfolio has historically returned around 7% per year after inflation over long periods; conservative bond-heavy portfolios return less. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so test your plan at 5%, 7%, and 9% in the calculator to see how sensitive your retirement date is to returns.

What are the 2026 401(k) contribution limits?

For 2026, employees under 50 can defer up to $24,500 per year across all their 401(k) plans combined. Workers 50 and older get an $8,000 catch-up ($32,500 total), and those aged 60–63 get an enhanced $11,250 catch-up ($35,750 total) if their plan allows it. These are IRS figures from Notice 2025-67.

Should I choose Roth or traditional 401(k) contributions?

Traditional contributions reduce your taxable income now and are taxed in retirement; Roth contributions are taxed now but grow and withdraw tax-free. If you expect to be in a lower tax bracket in retirement, traditional usually wins; if you are early-career with rising income ahead, Roth is often the better bet. Many plans let you split between both.