401(k) Growth Calculator
An employer match is an instant return most investments cannot offer — skipping it is refusing free money. Project your 401(k) with match, raises, and compounding to see its full effect.
Your results
Charts & visualization
Balance growth by year
The widening band above contributions is compounded growth on both paychecks and match.
Every chart’s underlying numbers are available as text — use the “view as table” control under each chart.
How it works
Each month the model adds your contribution plus the employer match — computed from salary, capped at the limit percentage — then applies the monthly return. Annual raises lift both your match basis and (implicitly) future contribution capacity.
The summary separates three money streams: what you deposited, what your employer added, and what markets produced. Most participants underestimate the match column; over a career it frequently exceeds six figures.
Formula used
match % / cap %— employer generosity and the ceiling it applies tor— expected monthly returnRaises— grow the match automatically each year
Example calculation
At $75,000 salary with a 4% match, your employer adds $250 monthly on top of your $500 — $9,000/year entering the account before any growth. Over 25 years with 3% raises and 7% returns, the balance projects to about $785,596, of which the employer contributed $109,378 and compounding supplied $506,218. That match alone approaches a quarter of the final balance.
Assumptions & limitations
- Match formula simplified to percent-of-salary with a percentage cap; dollar-cap plans need manual math.
- Vesting schedules ignored — unvested money forfeited at job changes is not deducted.
- Contribution limits and catch-up eligibility are not enforced.
- Constant-return assumption replaces real volatility.
Results are planning estimates based on your inputs and the stated assumptions — not financial advice or a loan offer. Verify important figures with your lender or advisor.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I contribute to my 401(k)?
At minimum capture the full employer match — it is an immediate 50%–100% return on matched dollars. Common next steps: reach 10%, then 15% of salary across retirement accounts as budget allows.
What is vesting?
The schedule before employer match dollars truly belong to you. Immediate or 2–3 year graded vesting is typical. Leaving early may forfeit unvested amounts — check your plan document.
Traditional or Roth 401(k)?
Traditional deducts tax now; Roth pays tax now for tax-free withdrawals later. Rough guide: choose Traditional if your bracket today exceeds your expected retirement bracket, Roth if the reverse. Many split the difference.
What if I change jobs?
Roll the balance into an IRA or the new employer’s plan rather than cashing out — early withdrawals forfeit taxes, penalties, and years of compounding.