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2026 IRS Limits Updated

401(k) Retirement Calculator

Project your balance at retirement with contribution acceleration, employer match, and catch-up contributions.

Your profile

Income

The S&P 500 has averaged ~10% annually over the long term. We default to 7% as a conservative estimate after inflation.

Contributions

Maximize to IRS limit Automatically contribute the maximum allowed for your age each year, including applicable catch-up. Acceleration is not applicable when this is enabled.
Year 1 contribution estimate
Your contribution—
Employer contribution—
Total year 1 contribution—

Acceleration

Catch-up contributions

Catch-up at age 50+
Super catch-up at age 60–63

Balance at retirement

—

Total contributions

—

employee + employer

Total growth

—

investment returns

Catch-up boost

—

vs. no catch-up

Field guide
What each input means and how to find it
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Your profile

Current age
Your age today. The calculator projects your savings from now until retirement.
Retirement age
The age at which you plan to stop working. Common targets are 62 (earliest Social Security eligibility), 65 (Medicare eligibility), or 67 (full Social Security benefit for most people).
Current balance
Total already saved in your 401(k). Find this on your most recent account statement or your plan provider's website.

Income

Annual salary
Your total gross pay before taxes. Amounts above the IRS compensation limit are capped for contribution calculations only.
Example: if you earn $5,417/month, enter $65,000.
Annual salary increase
How much you expect your salary to grow per year. The default 2.5% reflects average cost-of-living adjustments.
Annual rate of return
Average yearly investment growth expected. The default 7% is a conservative long-term estimate for a diversified portfolio. Past returns do not guarantee future results.

Contributions

Maximize to IRS limit
Contribute the full IRS maximum each year — the only way to guarantee catch-up contributions are fully utilized regardless of salary or contribution rate.
Your contribution
How much of your paycheck goes into your 401(k). Catch-up contributions only apply once your contribution reaches the standard IRS limit ($24,500 in 2026).
Example: $3,900/year = 6% of $65,000 — below the $24,500 standard limit, so catch-up does not apply.
Employer match (%)
The rate your employer matches your contributions. Always contribute enough to capture the full match — it's free money.
Example: 50% match = employer adds $0.50 per $1 you contribute.
Employer match up to
The salary % ceiling your employer matches against.
Example: 50% match up to 6% of salary → max employer contribution is 3% of salary.

Acceleration

Annual contribution increase
Percentage points added to your contribution rate each year until the cap is reached.
Example: start at 6% with 1%/yr → 7% year 2, 8% year 3.
Acceleration cap
The highest contribution rate you want to reach. IRS limits always apply regardless.

Catch-up contributions

Catch-up at age 50+
Allows workers to contribute above the standard limit starting in the year they turn 50 (ages 50–59 and 64+). Only applies once contributions exceed the standard IRS limit.
Super catch-up at 60–63
A higher catch-up from SECURE 2.0 starting in the year a worker turns 60, through age 63. Replaces the standard catch-up. Confirm with your plan administrator.
How it works

How this calculator works

Enter your salary, current age, retirement age, and contribution percentage or dollar amount. The calculator projects your 401k balance at retirement accounting for employer matching, 2026 IRS contribution limits, and compound growth over time. Use the catch-up contribution toggles if you are age 50 or older.

1
Enter your salary
Your current annual income before taxes
2
Set contribution
Percentage of salary or flat dollar amount per year
3
Add employer match
Match percentage and cap to maximize free money
4
See your projection
Balance at retirement with year-by-year breakdown
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is the 401k contribution limit for 2026?
For 2026 the 401k employee contribution limit is $24,500. If you are age 50 or older you can contribute up to $32,500 using the standard catch-up provision. If you are between ages 60 and 63 the SECURE 2.0 Act allows a super catch-up contribution bringing your limit to $35,750.
How does employer matching work?
Employer matching is essentially free money added to your 401k. A common match is 50% of your contributions up to 6% of your salary — meaning if you contribute 6% your employer adds another 3%. Always contribute at least enough to get the full employer match before considering other investments.
What is a 401k vesting schedule?
Vesting refers to how long you must stay with your employer before their matching contributions become fully yours. Immediate vesting means you own 100% right away. Graded vesting typically takes 3-6 years to fully vest. Your own contributions are always 100% yours immediately.
What is the difference between a Traditional and Roth 401k?
Traditional 401k contributions reduce your taxable income today but withdrawals in retirement are taxed as ordinary income. Roth 401k contributions are made with after-tax dollars so qualified withdrawals in retirement are completely tax-free. Many employers now offer both options.
When can I withdraw from my 401k without penalty?
You can begin taking penalty-free withdrawals from your 401k at age 59½. Withdrawals before that age are subject to a 10% early withdrawal penalty plus ordinary income taxes. Required Minimum Distributions must begin at age 73 under current IRS rules.
Should I contribute to a 401k or IRA first?
Financial planners generally recommend this order: first contribute enough to your 401k to get the full employer match, then max out an IRA, then return to maxing your 401k. The employer match provides an immediate 50-100% return on your contribution that no other investment can match.