Retirement & 401(k) Calculator
Project your retirement nest egg from today's savings, monthly contributions, an employer match and an expected return. Everything runs locally in your browser.
New to this? Read the Retirement Calculator guide →
- Nest egg at retirement
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- Total contributed
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- Investment growth
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Balance over time
Contributions Total balance
Year-by-year
| Age | Contributions | Growth | Balance |
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Estimates only, assuming a constant return and contributions at each month's end. Retirement income uses the 4% rule as a rough guide. Not financial advice.
How to use the retirement calculator
- Enter your current age and the age you want to retire.
- Add your current savings, your monthly contribution, any employer match, and an expected annual return.
- See your projected balance at retirement, split into what you contributed and what growth added, plus an estimated income.
Results are estimates that assume a steady return; real markets vary year to year, so treat the figure as a long-run guide.
Why most of the balance is growth
Over a full career, compounding usually contributes more than your own deposits. Because each dollar has more years to grow the earlier it goes in, money saved in your twenties does far more work than the same amount saved in your forties. That is the single biggest reason to start early, even with small amounts.
Don't leave the match on the table
An employer 401(k) match is an immediate, guaranteed return on your contribution, so capturing the full match is usually the best first move. After that, the levers are contributing more, keeping fees low, and time. For the mechanics behind the projection, read how compound interest works.
Where you'd use this
Checking whether the current contribution rate gets you anywhere near a target, and seeing what an employer match is really worth.
For example: Contributing $500 a month with a 50% employer match on the first 6% turns into an effective $750 a month. Over 25 years at 7% that match alone accounts for roughly $190,000 of the final balance.
Popular scenarios
Frequently asked questions
What does the retirement calculator estimate?
It projects your retirement savings from your current balance, contributions, expected return and years until retirement, including any employer 401(k) match you enter.
How much should I save for retirement?
A common guideline is 10–15% of income, but the right number depends on your goals, age and lifestyle. Use the calculator to test different contribution rates.
Is this financial advice?
No. Projections are estimates based on your inputs and assumed returns, which are not guaranteed. Everything is calculated in your browser.