How much should you contribute to your 401(k)? At minimum, enough to capture the full employer match — that is an instant 100% return, the highest-return investment legally available. After that, the order is: (1) max your Roth IRA ($7,000 in 2026), (2) max your 401(k) ($23,500 in 2026), (3) taxable brokerage. Catch-up contributions add $7,500 if you are 50+.
Skipping the match is the single most common money mistake in U.S. household finance — Vanguard data shows ~20% of eligible workers leave employer-match dollars on the table every year. The calculator below shows your exact dollar amount.
Your Parameters
Live
Your 401k
Dollar-for-dollar match up to this % of salary
Projected 401k Value
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calculating…
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What This Really Means
Adjust the sliders to see your personalised analysis.
Full Breakdown
Your contribution
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Employer match (dollar-for-dollar)
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Total annual / monthly
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Tax saved annually
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Projected 401k value
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Taxable account equivalent
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401k advantage
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2026 IRS contribution limits
Account
Under 50
Catch-up (50+)
Total 50+
401(k) / 403(b)
$23,500
+$7,500
$31,000
Roth IRA / Traditional IRA
$7,000
+$1,000
$8,000
Total 401(k) (incl. employer)
$70,000
+$7,500
$77,500
HSA (high-deductible health plan)
$4,300 self / $8,550 family
+$1,000 (55+)
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Ages 60–63 now qualify for an “enhanced catch-up” of up to $11,250 (SECURE 2.0). Check with your plan administrator. Roth IRA contributions phase out above MAGI $146K (single) / $230K (MFJ) for 2026.
Sources & Methodology
IRS, 2026 401(k) and IRA contribution limits — official limits used in this calculator. IRS source →
Vanguard, How America Saves 2024 — employer match participation & missed-match statistics. Report →
SECURE 2.0 Act — enhanced catch-up for ages 60–63 and other 2025+ changes. Bill text →
Robert Shiller real-returns dataset — basis for the 7% historical assumption. Data →
Methodology: Calculator computes (1) the dollar value of the employer match you receive vs miss, (2) the marginal tax saving (your marginal rate × contribution), and (3) future value of all employee + employer contributions to retirement, using FV of annuity with monthly compounding at your assumed return.
Common Questions
What does 'dollar-for-dollar match up to 5%' mean?
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If your salary is $80,000 and you contribute at least $4,000 (5%), your employer adds $4,000 free. If you contribute less, the match is dollar-for-dollar on what you put in up to that cap.
Should I always max my 401k?
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At minimum, contribute enough to get the full employer match — it's an instant 100% return. Beyond that, compare the 401k benefit vs Roth IRA vs taxable investing based on your tax situation.
Download Your Full Report
Get your personalized analysis as a formatted PDF — your exact numbers, projections, and action steps.
Disclaimer: For educational purposes only. Not financial advice. Projections use historical averages and are not guaranteed. Individual results will vary. Consult a qualified financial advisor before making financial decisions.
What Is the 401k Contribution Calculator?
This calculator projects how your 401k balance will grow over time based on your contribution rate, employer match, current balance, and expected return — while also showing the immediate tax savings from contributing pre-tax dollars. It's for employees who want to see whether they're on track and understand the full value of their employer's matching contribution.
How the Calculation Works
Your annual contribution (salary × contribution %) plus any employer match is added to your current balance, then the entire portfolio compounds at your chosen return rate each year. The tax savings component calculates your reduced annual taxable income: contributing $10,000 to a traditional 401k at a 22% marginal rate saves $2,200 in income taxes in the year of contribution — effectively reducing the real cost of that $10,000 to $7,800.
Why This Number Matters
Not capturing the full employer match is the single most common — and costly — financial mistake American workers make. The average employer match is 4.7% of salary. An employee earning $60,000 who doesn't maximize their match leaves $2,820 per year on the table. Over 30 years at 7% returns, that uncaptured match is worth over $285,000 in foregone retirement wealth.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the 401k contribution limit for 2024?
The IRS 401k employee contribution limit for 2024 is $23,000 (up from $22,500 in 2023). If you're 50 or older, you can contribute an additional $7,500 in catch-up contributions, for a total of $30,500. Employer contributions don't count toward this limit — the combined employee + employer cap is $69,000.
Traditional vs Roth 401k — which is better?
Traditional 401k contributions reduce your taxable income now (better if you're in a high bracket today). Roth 401k contributions are after-tax but grow and withdraw tax-free (better if you expect a higher tax rate in retirement). If you're uncertain, splitting contributions between both is a reasonable hedge.
What happens to my 401k if I change jobs?
You have four options: leave it with your former employer, roll it into your new employer's plan, roll it into an IRA, or cash it out (avoid this — you'll owe income taxes plus a 10% early withdrawal penalty). Rolling into an IRA typically gives you the most investment options and lowest fees.