401(k) Calculator

Calculate your 2026 401(k) tax savings, employer match value, and projected retirement balance using actual IRS contribution limits — including the SECURE 2.0 Act super catch-up for ages 60-63 and the §415(c) overall contribution cap.

By NumbersLab Editorial·Updated for 2026 tax year·Editorial standards

401(k) retirement savings plan documents on desk — representing 401(k) tax savings calculation, employer match capture, and projected retirement balance using 2026 IRS contribution limits — Photo by Olga DeLawrence on Unsplash

Interactive Calculator

All inputs adjust the result in real time. No data leaves your browser.

Annual Salary

Your Current AgeStandard contribution limit applies

Planned Retirement Age30 years of contributions

Your Contributionof salary (limit: $23,500)

Employer Match

Match Ratee.g. 50% match = $0.50 per $1 contributed

Match Cap (% of salary)employer matches contributions up to this % of pay

Filing Status

State Marginal Rate

Expected Annual Returnlong-term blended portfolio return

Annual Raisedrives higher contributions over time

Projected 401(k) Balance at Retirement

$1,704,651Solid trajectory

At age 65, after 30 years of compounding

Annual Tax Saving

$1,700

17.0% marginal · fed + state

Employer Match (yr 1)

$3,000

50% match × 6% of salary

Total Going In (yr 1)

$13,000

You: $10,000 · Employer: $3,000

Lifetime Contributions

$571K

You: $439K · Employer: $132K

Lifetime tax savings: $51,000 in deferred federal + state income tax over 30 years — assuming your marginal rate stays at 17.0%. Actual savings depend on bracket changes over your career. You'll pay ordinary income tax on withdrawals in retirement at your then-current rate.

Year-by-Year Balance Projection

Year	Age	Salary	Your Contribution	Employer Match	End-of-Year Balance
1	35	$100K	$10,000	$3,000	$14K
3	37	$105K	$10,506	$3,152	$46K
5	39	$110K	$11,038	$3,311	$84K
7	41	$116K	$11,597	$3,479	$129K
9	43	$122K	$12,184	$3,655	$182K
11	45	$128K	$12,801	$3,840	$245K
13	47	$134K	$13,449	$4,035	$319K
15	49	$141K	$14,130	$4,239	$405K
17	51	$148K	$14,845	$4,454	$506K
19	53	$156K	$15,597	$4,679	$624K
21	55	$164K	$16,386	$4,916	$761K
23	57	$172K	$17,216	$5,165	$920K
25	59	$181K	$18,087	$5,426	$1.1M
27	61	$190K	$19,003	$5,701	$1.3M
29	63	$200K	$19,965	$5,989	$1.6M
30	64	$205K	$20,464	$6,139	$1.7M

2026 IRS 401(k) Limits Reference

Employee deferral: $23,500 (regular limit applies to all ages). Age 50-59 catch-up: additional $7,500 (= $31,000 total). Age 60-63 super catch-up (SECURE 2.0 §109): additional $11,250 (= $34,750 total). Age 64+: reverts to $7,500 catch-up. Overall §415(c) cap (employee + employer combined): $70,000 ($77,500 / $81,250 with catch-up tiers). Source: IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-11, SECURE Act 2.0 of 2022.

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2026 federal income tax brackets for single filers showing marginal rates from 10% to 37% across taxable income from $0 to $750,000 — **Figure.** The 2026 federal marginal tax brackets for single filers. The 22% bracket spans the largest income range ($49,850–$106,450), so most middle-class filers spend years adding income inside it. — Source: IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-11

The Background

A 401(k) is the most common employer-sponsored retirement plan in the United States. Employee contributions reduce taxable income in the year of contribution, grow tax-deferred while invested, and are taxed as ordinary income upon withdrawal in retirement. This calculator models the full lifecycle — annual tax savings during accumulation, employer match capture, year-by-year balance growth, and projected retirement value — using the actual 2026 IRS contribution limits.

The 2026 employee contribution limit is $23,500 per IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-11. Workers age 50 and older can add a $7,500 catch-up contribution for a $31,000 total. SECURE Act 2.0 §109 introduced a 'super catch-up' for workers age 60, 61, 62, and 63 — they can add $11,250 instead of $7,500, bringing their total to $34,750. The super catch-up reverts to the regular $7,500 catch-up at age 64. The overall §415(c) cap on employee plus employer contributions combined is $70,000 in 2026 ($77,500 with catch-up, $81,250 with super catch-up).

The employer match is the single most important variable for most workers. A typical match is 50% of contributions up to 6% of salary — meaning if you contribute 6% of pay, the employer adds 3% of pay. On a $100,000 salary, that's $6,000 employee + $3,000 employer = $9,000 going into your 401(k) annually before any tax savings. Contributing below the match cap leaves free money on the table. This calculator highlights any unclaimed match and shows the immediate dollar value.

Tax savings happen at your marginal federal rate plus state rate (where applicable). A worker in the 24% federal bracket plus 5% state contributing $20,000 saves $5,800 in current-year taxes — money that stays in your paycheck rather than going to taxes. Over a 30-year career, those annual savings compound to six-figure totals. Note that 401(k) contributions reduce income tax but NOT Social Security or Medicare tax (FICA), which is paid on the full gross wage. HSAs via payroll are the only common pre-tax account that also avoids FICA.

The retirement balance projection uses standard compound growth assumptions: annual contributions invested at your specified return rate, with optional annual salary raises driving slightly higher contributions each year. Real-world returns will differ from any projection — markets are volatile, sequence-of-returns risk matters, and inflation erodes purchasing power. Use the projection as a directional planning anchor rather than a precise prediction. For more sophisticated retirement modeling that includes Social Security, RMDs, and withdrawal sequencing, use the Retirement Income Planner.

Whether to contribute to a Traditional 401(k) or Roth 401(k) is a separate decision driven by rate arbitrage — current marginal rate versus expected retirement rate. The Roth vs Traditional 401(k) Calculator on this site walks through that math with real federal brackets. If your employer offers a Roth 401(k) option and you expect to be in a higher tax bracket in retirement (common for early-career savers), consider routing at least part of your contributions to the Roth side. The employee contribution limit applies across both buckets combined.

Frequently Asked

What is the 2026 401(k) contribution limit?+

The 2026 employee deferral limit for 401(k), 403(b), and 457(b) plans is $23,500, per IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-11. Workers age 50 and older can add a catch-up contribution of $7,500, bringing the total to $31,000. Workers age 60-63 get a SECURE Act 2.0 super catch-up of $11,250 instead of $7,500, totaling $34,750. The overall §415(c) cap on employee plus employer contributions combined is $70,000 in 2026 ($77,500 with regular catch-up, $81,250 with super catch-up). These limits apply across Traditional and Roth 401(k) contributions combined.

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

At minimum, contribute enough to capture your full employer match — typically 6% of salary to get a 50% match on the first 6%. That match is a guaranteed 50% return before any market growth. Beyond the match, conventional advice ranges from 10-15% of gross income for workers in their 20s and 30s, scaling higher (15-25%) for late starters. The 2026 maximum employee deferral is $23,500 ($31,000 if 50+, $34,750 if 60-63). Workers maxing the 401(k) AND a Roth IRA AND an HSA can save over $40,000/year in tax-advantaged accounts.

How much tax do you save with a 401(k)?+

Tax savings equal your contribution multiplied by your marginal federal rate plus state tax rate. A worker in the 24% federal bracket plus 5% state bracket contributing $20,000 saves $5,800 in current-year income tax ($4,800 federal + $1,000 state). Unlike HSA payroll contributions, 401(k) contributions do NOT reduce Social Security or Medicare tax (FICA). Over a 30-year career, those annual tax savings compound to substantial amounts — though you'll pay ordinary income tax on withdrawals in retirement at your then-current rate.

What is the 401(k) catch-up contribution for 2026?+

Workers age 50 and older can add a regular catch-up contribution of $7,500 to the standard $23,500 employee deferral limit — bringing the total employee deferral limit to $31,000 in 2026. SECURE Act 2.0 §109 created a super catch-up for workers age 60, 61, 62, and 63: they can add $11,250 instead of $7,500, bringing their total employee deferral to $34,750. The super catch-up reverts to the regular $7,500 at age 64. This super catch-up was first available in 2025 and is one of the biggest retirement-saving opportunities for late-career workers.

Can I contribute too much to my 401(k)?+

Yes, and it triggers tax consequences. The 2026 employee deferral limit is $23,500 ($31,000 with regular catch-up, $34,750 with super catch-up). If you exceed this limit, the excess plus earnings must be withdrawn by April 15 of the following year — otherwise the excess is taxed twice: once in the year of deferral, once when distributed. Excess contributions most often happen when switching jobs mid-year (both 401(k) plans don't know about each other). Watch the cumulative total across all employers if you change jobs. The overall §415(c) limit ($70,000 employee+employer combined in 2026) is rarely hit by typical workers but can affect highly compensated employees and those receiving large employer contributions.

How is 401(k) withdrawal taxed?+

Traditional 401(k) withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income at your marginal federal rate plus state tax rate (if your state taxes retirement income). Withdrawals before age 59½ face a 10% early withdrawal penalty on top of income tax, with limited exceptions (Rule of 55 for separation from current employer, substantially equal periodic payments under IRC §72(t), first-time home purchase up to $10K, qualified medical expenses, disability). Required Minimum Distributions begin at age 73 (born 1950-1959) or 75 (born 1960+) per SECURE Act 2.0. Roth 401(k) withdrawals are tax-free if the account is over 5 years old and you're at least 59½ — no RMDs during your lifetime as of 2024.

What is the employer match on a 401(k)?+

Employer match is additional contribution your employer makes alongside your own. The most common formula is 50% of your contributions up to 6% of salary — meaning if you contribute at least 6% of pay, the employer adds 3% of pay. Some generous plans match 100% up to 5%, or 100% on the first 3% plus 50% on the next 2% (Safe Harbor formulas). The match is free money and represents an immediate 50-100% return on the matched portion of your contributions. Employer contributions vest on a schedule (often 3-6 year graded or cliff vesting) — meaning you forfeit unvested employer money if you leave before fully vested.

Does the 401(k) employer match count toward the contribution limit?+

Not toward the employee deferral limit ($23,500 in 2026), but yes toward the overall §415(c) limit ($70,000 in 2026, $77,500 with regular catch-up, $81,250 with super catch-up). You can max your personal $23,500 employee deferral AND receive employer match contributions up to the overall §415(c) cap. For most workers this never matters because employer match is typically only 3-6% of salary. For highly compensated employees ($160,000+ in 2026) at companies with very generous match, the overall cap can be a real constraint. The cap applies separately per employer if you have multiple 401(k) plans.