401(k) Calculator
The employer match is an immediate return on your contribution. Not contributing up to the cap leaves guaranteed money on the table.
$775,815 projected balance
- Your contributions
- $135,000
- Employer match
- $67,500
Employer match is free money — contribute at least up to the cap.
How it works
Your contribution is a percent of salary; the employer adds their match rate up to the match limit. The combined amount is compounded monthly at the entered return.
Explain it to a kid
Some jobs will match money you save for later — put in $1 and they add another $1, like a game giving you double coins for free. Skipping that match is like walking right past free coins on the ground. This calculator shows how big that free-coin pile can grow.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I contribute to get the full match?
At minimum, contribute up to your employer's match limit — the percent of salary they'll match. Contributing less leaves free money on the table; the calculator's 'unclaimed match' figure shows exactly how much.
How is the employer match calculated?
The employer matches a fraction of each dollar you contribute (e.g., 50%, entered as 0.5) up to a capped percent of your salary. Contributing beyond that cap still grows your own balance but stops drawing additional employer money.
Is the match 'free money'?
Effectively yes — it's an immediate, guaranteed return on your contribution that no investment can reliably match, which is why maxing out at least to the match limit is one of the most common pieces of retirement advice.
Does this calculator account for contribution limits?
No — it models the match mechanics and monthly compounding, not IRS annual contribution caps. Check the current 401(k) contribution limit separately if you're contributing a high percentage of a large salary.