401k Calculator – Balance at Retirement
Project your 401k balance at retirement with employer match, compound growth, and contribution modeling.
📊 Finance📐 FV = PV(1+r)^n + PMT[(1+r)^n-1]/r
Current age
Retirement age
Current 401k balance ($)
Annual contribution ($)
Employer match %
Annual return (%)
Please enter valid values.
Formula & Reference
| Variable | Formula | Units |
|---|---|---|
| 401k Calculator – Balance at Retirement | FV = PV(1+r)^n + PMT[(1+r)^n-1]/r | $ at retirement |
Step-by-Step Examples
Example 1
35yo, $50K, $6K/yr, 50% match
- Your: $6K + Match: $3K = $9K/year
- 30yr at 7%: ~$907,000
✓ ~$907,000
Example 2
25yo Starter, No Match
- $5K/yr, 40yr at 7%: ~$1,068,000
- Time advantage beats late-starter with match!
✓ ~$1,068,000
Example 3
Max 2024 Contribution
- $23K + 50% match on $6K = $26K/yr
- 30yr at 7%: ~$2.6M
✓ ~$2.6M at max
Real-World Applications
Employees
Project 401k balance for retirement planning.
Pre-Retirees
Fine-tune contributions for target balance.
HR
Show employees the value of capturing full match.
New Workers
Start early and take full match from day one.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
⚠️
Missing full employer match
Employer match is 50-100% instant return — never leave it on the table.
⚠️
Early withdrawal
10% penalty + income taxes. A $20K withdrawal nets only ~$13K. Never cash out early!
Frequently Asked Questions
2024 401k limit? ▾
$23,000 under 50. $30,500 with catch-up (50+). Employer match doesn't count toward your limit.
Traditional vs Roth 401k? ▾
Traditional: pre-tax now, taxed on withdrawal. Roth: after-tax now, tax-free withdrawals. If you expect higher taxes in retirement, choose Roth.
What to invest in? ▾
Target-date funds (automatic) or low-fee index funds (S&P 500, total market). Avoid high-fee active funds.