Retirement planning
2026 limits401(k) Employer Match Calculator
See how your contributions and employer match can grow over time, how much to save per paycheck, and whether part of your available match may be left unclaimed.
Your pay and plan
Use your employer plan document or benefits portal when available.
Enter the annual compensation generally eligible for your plan.
Used only to apply IRS catch-up limits.
Your contribution
Employer contribution
A 100% match on 6% of pay means your employer contributes $1 for every $1 you contribute, up to 6% of eligible pay.
Advanced plan settings
Leave at $0 to use the calculated amount.
Leave at $0 if your plan has no separate dollar cap.
2026 projection
Your 401(k) contribution estimate
Your annual contribution
$4,500
$173.08 per paycheck
Employer contribution
$4,500
$173.08 per paycheck
Annual total
$9,000
Employee plus projected employer money
Eligible compensation
$75,000
$75,000 estimated gross pay
On track for the full estimated match
Your contribution reaches the plan's 6% full-match threshold.
Annual contribution breakdown
- Traditional 401(k)
- $4,500
- Roth 401(k)
- $0
- Vested employer contribution
- $4,500
- Employee contribution rate
- 6%
Limits and assumptions
- Your employee limit
- $24,500
- Annual additions limit
- $72,000
This is an educational projection, not tax or investment advice. Employer plans can define compensation, matching, true-ups, and vesting differently. Confirm your results with your plan documents.
Review 2026 limits at IRS.govLong-term growth
See how consistent contributions can compound
This projection uses the annual contribution estimate above and adds money throughout each year based on your pay frequency.
Projected balance
$1,098,015
At age 67, after 32 years
Employer contribution effect
$549,008
Difference produced by projected employer contributions and their growth
Cost of waiting five years
$231,574
Estimated difference if contributions begin five years later
Value in today's dollars
$498,247
Adjusted using 2.5% annual inflation
Projected balance over time
$1,098,015 at age 67Where the projection comes from
- Your deposits
- $236,262
- Employer deposits
- $236,262
- Estimated growth
- $625,491
Return scenarios
Conservative
$789,920
4% estimated return before 0.5% fees
Planning
$1,098,015
6% estimated return before 0.5% fees
Higher-growth
$1,562,184
8% estimated return before 0.5% fees
This is a planning illustration, not a forecast or investment recommendation. Returns can vary and may be negative. Future IRS limits are estimated using the inflation assumption, and actual employer contributions depend on your plan and continued employment.
One connected projection
Calculate contributions, employer match, and compound growth
Enter your pay and contribution, reproduce the matching formula in your plan document, and see the estimated amount going into your 401(k) each paycheck and over time.
401(k) contribution calculator
Convert a percentage or per-paycheck contribution into annual employee savings while applying the 2026 contribution limits.
401(k) match calculator
Model standard, tiered, fixed, or capped employer contributions and identify whether matching money may be left unclaimed.
401(k) compound growth calculator
Project employee and employer contributions over time to visualize how consistent saving and matching can compound toward retirement.