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Retirement Calculator

Project your 401(k) or IRA balance at retirement from your contributions, employer match, and expected return.

Last updated: September 2026

Balance at retirement
$1,638,445
You contribute
$235,000
Employer adds
$105,000
Investment growth
$1,298,445

In 35 years, contributing $500/mo (plus a 50% employer match) could grow to about $1,638,445 — of which $1,298,445 is investment growth. Free employer match is one of the best returns in finance — always capture the full match.

See where your retirement savings are headed

This calculator projects how your 401(k), IRA, or other retirement account could grow by the time you retire. It combines your current balance, your monthly contributions, your employer match, and an expected annual return — then compounds it all until your target retirement age.

The results split your final balance into what you put in, what your employer added, and how much came from investment growth — which, over decades, is usually the largest piece.

Never leave the match on the table

An employer 401(k) match is effectively free money and an instant, guaranteed return on your contribution. If your employer matches 50% of what you put in, that's a 50% return before the market does anything. Contributing at least enough to capture the full match is one of the highest-value financial moves available.

Tips to grow your nest egg

  • Start early. Decades of compounding beat larger contributions made later.
  • Increase contributions with raises so you save more without feeling it.
  • Keep fees low — index funds preserve more of your returns over time.
  • Be realistic on returns — around 7% after inflation is a common long-term planning figure.

Frequently asked questions

Is this retirement calculator free?

Yes — free, private, and it runs entirely in your browser.

How does the employer match work here?

Enter the percentage of your contribution your employer matches (for example, 50% or 100%). It is added to your monthly contribution and compounds along with it.

What return rate should I use?

A diversified portfolio has historically returned roughly 7% per year after inflation. Use a lower rate as you approach retirement and shift to safer assets.

Does it account for taxes and inflation?

It shows nominal growth before taxes. Traditional 401(k)/IRA withdrawals are taxed later; Roth accounts are not. For today's-dollars results, use a return reduced by expected inflation.

How is the balance calculated?

Your current balance and every contribution (yours plus the employer match) compound monthly at your expected return until your retirement age.

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