401(k) Retirement Calculator: Maximize Your Employer Match

Not contributing enough to your 401(k) to get the full employer match is leaving free money on the table, often thousands of dollars per year. Our 401k calculator shows you exactly how much your account will grow based on your contribution rate, employer match formula, investment returns, and years until retirement.

The 2026 401(k) contribution limit is 23,500 dollars with an additional 7,500 dollar catch-up contribution for those age 50 and older. The calculator models how maximizing contributions versus contributing just enough for the match affects your retirement balance, showing the compounding impact over 10, 20, and 30 year horizons.

Your asset allocation within the 401(k) matters as much as how much you contribute. A portfolio too heavy in bonds early in your career sacrifices decades of equity growth, while too much stock near retirement adds unnecessary risk. Use our investment calculator to compare allocation strategies and our compound interest calculator to visualize growth.