Retirement Calculator

Project your 401(k) or IRA balance to retirement — with employer match, annual contributions, expected return, and what it's really worth in today's dollars.

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$
% of salary
%
Cents matched per dollar you contribute — 50% means 50¢ per $1.
% of salary
Employer matches only up to this share of your salary.
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%
Used to show the balance in today's purchasing power.
Projected balance at retirement
$0

about $0 in today's dollars · over 0 years

Your contributions
$0
Employer match
$0
Investment growth
$0

Estimate only — not investment advice. Assumes level salary and a constant annual return; real markets vary.

How this retirement calculator works

This calculator projects your retirement savings one year at a time. Each year, your existing balance grows by your expected return, then that year's contributions are added — both your own (a percentage of salary) and your employer's match. It runs that loop from your current age to your retirement age, then shows two numbers that matter: the nominal balance you'll see on your statement, and the inflation-adjusted balance in today's dollars so you know what it will actually buy.

The biggest driver of the final number is usually time, not the amount you save. Because returns compound, a dollar invested at 30 has decades to grow, while a dollar invested at 55 does not. That is why starting early — even with small contributions — so often beats saving more later.

Don't leave the employer match on the table

An employer match is the closest thing to free money in personal finance. A common formula is 50% of your contributions up to 6% of salary. On a $90,000 salary, contributing 6% ($5,400) earns a $2,700 employer match — an instant 50% return before the market does anything. If you contribute less than the cap, you forfeit part of that match every single year.

This calculator caps the match at the smaller of your contribution rate and the match limit, so you can see exactly how much employer money you're capturing. Try setting your contribution below the limit and watch the employer-match total fall — that gap is money you're walking away from.

Why the inflation-adjusted number matters

A projected balance of $1.5 million sounds life-changing, but if it's 35 years away, inflation will have eroded much of its purchasing power. At 2.5% inflation, prices roughly double every 28 years. The inflation-adjusted figure restates your future balance in today's dollars, giving you an honest sense of the lifestyle it could support. Use the nominal number to track your account; use the real number to plan your life.

Once you know your trajectory, tune the levers. See how raising your contribution affects your take-home pay today, factor in any after-tax RSU income you could invest, and make sure big purchases like a home still leave room to save. Retirement projections are estimates — markets are volatile and tax rules change, so revisit your plan yearly and consult a fiduciary advisor for decisions.

Frequently asked questions

How much will my 401(k) be worth at retirement?
Your ending balance depends on your current balance, annual contributions, employer match, expected return, and years until retirement. This calculator compounds each year's growth and adds contributions to project both a nominal balance and its value in today's dollars.
How does an employer 401(k) match work?
Employers commonly match a percentage of what you contribute, up to a limit. A typical example is 50% of your contributions up to 6% of salary. The match is free money, so contributing at least enough to get the full match is usually the highest-return move available.
What is an inflation-adjusted retirement balance?
A future balance looks large partly because money loses purchasing power over time. The inflation-adjusted (real) balance restates that future amount in today's dollars, so you can judge what it would actually buy when you retire.
What return should I assume for retirement projections?
A diversified stock-heavy portfolio has historically returned around 7% to 10% annually before inflation over long periods. Many planners use 6% to 7% as a conservative long-run assumption. Actual returns vary year to year, so treat any projection as an estimate.
How much should I contribute to my 401(k)?
At minimum, contribute enough to capture the full employer match. Beyond that, a common target is 15% of income including the match. The 2026 IRS employee contribution limit is higher than prior years, so check the current cap if you contribute aggressively.

Related calculators & guides

Paycheck Calculator See how a higher contribution rate changes your take-home pay. RSU Tax Calculator Turn after-tax equity income into retirement contributions. Guide: Maximize Your 401(k) Match How match formulas work and why skipping it costs you.