Investing
401(k) calculator with employer match
Enter your salary, contribution and your employer's match formula to see your projected 401(k) balance and any employer match you are not capturing.
Some inputs need attention. The results below are from your last valid entries.
Assumptions
Contributions are made monthly as a share of salary; the match is match rate times your contribution up to the cap. Vesting schedules, IRS limits, taxes, fees and market swings are not modeled. Returns are assumed constant and are not guaranteed.
Where the 401(k) balance comes from
| Year | You contributed | Employer matched | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3,000 | $1,500 | $15,343 |
| 2 | $6,090 | $3,045 | $21,198 |
| 3 | $9,273 | $4,636 | $27,608 |
| 4 | $12,551 | $6,275 | $34,613 |
| 5 | $15,927 | $7,964 | $42,262 |
| 6 | $19,405 | $9,703 | $50,602 |
| 7 | $22,987 | $11,494 | $59,688 |
| 8 | $26,677 | $13,339 | $69,576 |
| 9 | $30,477 | $15,239 | $80,327 |
| 10 | $34,392 | $17,196 | $92,007 |
| 11 | $38,423 | $19,212 | $104,687 |
| 12 | $42,576 | $21,288 | $118,442 |
| 13 | $46,853 | $23,427 | $133,352 |
| 14 | $51,259 | $25,629 | $149,504 |
| 15 | $55,797 | $27,898 | $166,992 |
| 16 | $60,471 | $30,235 | $185,915 |
| 17 | $65,285 | $32,642 | $206,379 |
| 18 | $70,243 | $35,122 | $228,499 |
| 19 | $75,351 | $37,675 | $252,397 |
| 20 | $80,611 | $40,306 | $278,206 |
| 21 | $86,029 | $43,015 | $306,066 |
| 22 | $91,610 | $45,805 | $336,127 |
| 23 | $97,359 | $48,679 | $368,551 |
| 24 | $103,279 | $51,640 | $403,513 |
| 25 | $109,378 | $54,689 | $441,196 |
| 26 | $115,659 | $57,830 | $481,800 |
| 27 | $122,129 | $61,064 | $525,538 |
| 28 | $128,793 | $64,396 | $572,639 |
| 29 | $135,657 | $67,828 | $623,345 |
| 30 | $142,726 | $71,363 | $677,920 |
Why the employer match matters most
An employer match is compensation that only shows up if you contribute. If your plan matches 50% of the first 6% of pay and you contribute 4%, you receive 2% of pay from your employer instead of the 3% available. That gap repeats every paycheck and then compounds for decades, which is why it is the number this calculator highlights.
How to read your match formula
Enter the match rate (cents per dollar you contribute) and the cap (the share of salary the match applies to). Employer money per year is salary × min(your %, cap) × match rate. A dollar-for-dollar match up to 3% is a rate of 100% with a 3% cap.
Methodology
Every month, 1/12 of your salary-based contribution and 1/12 of the employer match are added after the balance grows by the monthly equivalent of your annual return, (1 + r)^(1/12) − 1. Salary rises once a year by your growth rate. The “left on the table” figures rerun the projection as if you contributed at least the cap, and report the extra employer contributions and what they would grow to. Vesting rules, annual IRS limits on employee deferrals, taxes and fees are not applied, so check your plan documents and the current limits.
Next steps
- Confirm whether your employer money vests immediately or over several years.
- See what saving rate you may need in our retirement savings guide.
- Compare your projection with the retirement calculator, or model a Roth account with the Roth IRA calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Is the match really free money?
Largely yes, but it can be subject to a vesting schedule, meaning you may forfeit some of it if you leave the company early. Ask your plan administrator how your match vests.
How do I find my match formula?
Look in your plan's summary plan description or benefits portal. It is usually written as "50% of the first 6%" or "dollar for dollar up to 4%".
Does this cap my own contributions at the IRS limit?
No. Employee deferrals are limited by the IRS each year, and the limit changes, so check the current figure. If your contribution would exceed it, the projection here will be too high.
Why is the growth figure so large?
Because contributions made early have decades to compound. The return is a constant assumption, not a forecast; real returns vary year to year, so consider running a lower rate as well.
This calculator is for education and illustration. It does not account for taxes, fees or your personal situation unless stated, and is not financial advice.
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