Retirement Details
401(k) Retirement Calculator
Project your 401(k) balance with employer match and compound growth.
Projected Retirement Balance
after 30 years
Contributing 6% of a $75,000 salary with a 50% employer match on 6% grows to approximately $1,018,000 over 30 years at 7% return.
Typical scenario — enter your details above for your personalized estimate.
Not Investment or Retirement Advice: This calculator provides estimates for educational purposes only. Projections assume constant rates of return and do not account for market volatility, sequence-of-returns risk, or changes in tax law. For personalized retirement planning, consult a qualified financial advisor.
| Year | Contributions | Employer Match | Growth | Balance |
|---|
401(k) Scenario Comparison
Understanding Your 401(k)
What is a 401(k)?
A 401(k) is an employer-sponsored retirement account where you contribute pre-tax dollars. Your contributions reduce taxable income today, and investments grow tax-deferred until withdrawal (typically age 59½+).
2026 Limits: $24,500 base, $32,500 with catch-up (50+), $35,750 super catch-up (60–63).
The Power of Employer Match
Employer matching is free money. A 50% match on 6% of salary means instant 50% return on your contribution.
- Earn $75,000, contribute 6% ($4,500)
- Employer adds $2,250 (50% match)
- That’s $6,750 total — free $2,250 bonus!
Compound Growth
Compound interest means you earn returns on your returns. Over decades, this creates exponential growth.
- $500/month for 30 years at 7%
- You contribute: $180,000
- You earn: $386,000+ in growth!
Catch-Up Contributions (50+)
At age 50+, you can contribute extra to accelerate retirement savings:
- Ages 50–59 or 64+: +$8,000/year
- Ages 60–63: +$11,250/year (super catch-up)
- Great if you started saving late
401(k) Balance By Age: How Do You Compare?
Wondering if you’re on track? Here are 401(k) benchmarks from Fidelity’s Q2 2026 Building Financial Futures analysis of 27,300 corporate plans and 25.8 million participants (balances as of June 30, 2026).
| Generation | Average Balance | Avg Employee Savings Rate | Target (Salary Multiple) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gen Z (roughly under 30) | $20,800 | 7.6% | 1x salary by 30 |
| Millennials (roughly 30–45) | $94,300 | 9.0% | 1x by 30, 3x by 40 |
| Gen X (roughly 46–61) | $240,700 | 10.6% | 6x by 50, 8x by 60 |
| Baby Boomers (roughly 62+) | $283,200 | 12.2% | 10x salary by 67 |
| All savers | $155,800 | 9.6% | 10x salary by retirement |
A small share of very large accounts pulls every average up. Across the retirement industry, Vanguard’s How America Saves 2026 reports a $167,970 average participant balance against a $44,115 median. Being below the average for your generation does not mean you are behind half of your peers — compare against your own salary-multiple target instead.
Want the targets in one view? See the retirement savings by age chart — Fidelity’s salary-multiple benchmarks from 25 to 67 translated into dollars, with catch-up strategies for every decade.
Frequently Asked Questions
At minimum, contribute enough to get your full employer match — it’s free money. Financial experts recommend saving 10–15% of income for retirement. For 2026, you can contribute up to $24,500 ($32,500 if age 50–59 or 64+, $35,750 if age 60–63).
The most common match is 50% of your contributions up to 6% of salary (effectively 3% of salary). A 100% match up to 3–6% is considered excellent. Any employer match is valuable — always contribute enough to get the full match.
Historically, the S&P 500 has averaged about 10% annually, but a conservative planning estimate is 6–8% to account for inflation, fees, and volatility. A diversified portfolio typically averages 7–9% over 30+ years.
If you’re 50 or older, you can contribute extra beyond the standard limit. For 2026: ages 50–59 or 64+ can add $8,000 (total $32,500), ages 60–63 can add $11,250 “super catch-up” (total $35,750). This helps accelerate savings if you started late.
Priority order: 1) Contribute to 401(k) up to employer match (free money), 2) Max out Roth IRA if eligible ($7,500 in 2026), 3) Return to 401(k) and contribute more. This maximizes free money and provides tax diversification.
Options: 1) Roll over to new employer’s 401(k), 2) Roll over to an IRA (more investment choices), 3) Leave it with old employer if allowed, 4) Cash out (not recommended — you’ll pay taxes and 10% penalty if under 59½). Rolling over preserves tax advantages.
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Retirement Savings by Age: How Much Should You Have? (2026 Benchmarks)
See retirement savings benchmarks by age: how much you should have at 30, 40, 50, and 60. Compare your 401(k) balance to averages and get back on track.
Roth 401(k) vs Traditional 401(k): Complete Comparison
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401(k) Calculator Methodology
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