Retirement Calculator (401k & Roth IRA)

Project your retirement balance with employer match and compound growth, and compare Traditional vs. Roth after-tax outcomes.

How the retirement calculator (401k & roth ira) works

This calculator grows your balance one year at a time. Each year it applies your expected investment return to the running balance, then adds your contribution (a percent of salary) and your employer’s match. Because returns compound on a balance that keeps getting larger, the growth line bends upward — most of a long-horizon balance is investment growth, not the dollars you put in.

The employer match is modeled as dollar-for-dollar on your contribution, up to the match cap, so it never exceeds what you contribute yourself. It is effectively an instant, guaranteed return — which is why "always contribute enough to get the full match" is the most repeated rule in retirement planning.

The Traditional vs. Roth selector changes the tax story, not the growth. Traditional contributions are pre-tax: you get a deduction now (shown as your annual tax savings) and pay income tax on withdrawals later. Roth contributions are after-tax: no break today, but qualified withdrawals are tax-free. Which wins depends mostly on whether your tax rate is higher now or in retirement.

How to use this calculator

Pick Traditional or Roth to set the tax treatment.
Enter your current age, planned retirement age, and current balance.
Enter your salary, contribution percent, and employer match percent.
Set an expected annual return and your tax rates now and in retirement.
Press Calculate to see your projected balance, after-tax value, and a growth chart.

Key terms

Employer match: Money your employer adds to your account based on your own contribution, up to a cap. It’s free money and an immediate return on what you save.
Traditional vs. Roth: Traditional is taxed on withdrawal (deduction now); Roth is taxed on contribution (tax-free later). The better choice hinges on your current vs. future tax rate.
Vesting: The schedule on which employer-matched dollars become fully yours. Leave before you’re vested and you may forfeit some of the match.

Tips

Contribute at least enough to capture the full employer match before prioritizing any other investment — it’s a guaranteed return.
If you expect to be in a higher tax bracket later, a Roth often wins; if you’re at peak earnings now, Traditional’s upfront deduction may be worth more.
Revisit your contribution percent after every raise — bumping it by 1% a year is nearly painless and compounds dramatically.

Frequently asked questions

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

At a minimum, contribute enough to get your full employer match — anything less leaves free money on the table. A common target is 15% of gross salary (including the match) toward retirement, but start where you can and raise it with each pay increase.

Is a Roth or Traditional account better?

It comes down to tax rates. If your tax rate will be higher in retirement than today, Roth usually wins because withdrawals are tax-free. If you’re in a high bracket now and expect a lower one later, Traditional’s upfront deduction tends to be more valuable. Many savers split contributions across both to hedge.

What is a realistic rate of return to assume?

A diversified stock-heavy portfolio has historically returned roughly 7% a year after inflation over long periods, or about 9–10% before inflation. Using 6–7% keeps projections conservative. Returns are volatile year to year, so treat any single projection as a midpoint, not a promise.

How does the employer match work?

A typical match is "100% up to 5% of salary," meaning your employer contributes a dollar for every dollar you put in, until your contribution reaches 5% of pay. This calculator caps the match at your own contribution, so contributing below the match threshold reduces the match you receive.

Are these numbers adjusted for inflation?

No — the projected balance is in nominal (future) dollars. A $2 million balance in 35 years will buy less than $2 million does today. To gauge purchasing power, run the result through our inflation calculator or assume a real return (return minus inflation) when you model.

What happens if I retire earlier or later?

Each extra year of contributing and compounding has an outsized effect because it acts on your largest balance. Pushing retirement age out a few years can add a substantial amount; retiring earlier shortens both the growth window and the years the match accrues. Adjust the retirement age field to see the swing.

Does this include Social Security or pensions?

No. It projects only this one investment account. Social Security, pensions, taxable brokerage accounts, and other savings are separate income sources you’d add on top when planning your full retirement income.

Planning further? Try the compound interest calculator or the savings goal calculator.

Compound Interest Calculator

See how your savings grow over time with compound interest and regular monthly contributions.

Savings Goal Calculator

Plan how long it will take to reach a savings goal and how much to save each month to get there on time.