Project what your 401(k) could grow to with your contributions, employer match, raises, and decades of compounding. See how much of the final balance is your money, your match, and pure growth.
Your numbers
$
$
Projected 401(k) in 30 years
$1,923,148
Your contributions
$404,391
Employer match
$161,756
Growth
$1,307,001
Your employer match alone adds $161,756 — money you'd forfeit by not contributing enough.
Assumes a constant return and steady raises. Real returns vary. This is an estimate for planning, not financial advice.
See your 401(k) inside your whole plan
Your 401(k) is one piece. planbend combines it with IRAs, brokerage, Social Security, and taxes to show your full retirement picture — free to start.
Capture the full employer match first
If there's one near-universal rule in retirement saving, it's this: contribute at least enough to get your entire employer match. A match is an instant, guaranteed return on your money — often a 100% return on the matched portion. Contributing less leaves that money on the table permanently. The calculator above breaks out exactly how much match you collect over time.
Why the growth piece dwarfs contributions
Over a full career, the largest slice of a 401(k) balance usually isn't what you or your employer put in — it's compound growth. Early contributions have decades to grow, so the account snowballs. This is why starting young and contributing consistently matters more than trying to time the market or optimize every percentage point of return.
Contribution limits and raises
The IRS caps annual employee contributions, with a higher catch-up limit once you turn 50. As your salary grows, contributing a steady percentage means your dollar contributions rise automatically. A common strategy is to bump your contribution rate by one point each year, or to direct part of every raise into the 401(k) before you get used to spending it.
planbend is a planning tool, not a financial advisor. This calculator assumes a constant return and steady raises, and doesn't enforce contribution limits. Real outcomes vary. For decisions about your own accounts, the Resources page can help you find a licensed professional.
Common questions
How much should I contribute?
At least enough to capture your full employer match, then work toward about 15% of income including the match. Never leaving match on the table is nearly universal advice.
How does employer match work?
A typical match is a percentage of your contributions up to a salary limit — like 100% on the first 4%. Contribute less than the limit and you forfeit part of it.
What's the contribution limit?
The IRS sets an annual employee limit that rises most years, plus a catch-up for those 50+. Employer match counts toward a higher overall cap. Check irs.gov for the current figure.
How much will my 401(k) be worth?
It depends on contributions, match, raises, return, and time. Thanks to compounding, growth often becomes the largest part of a long-term balance.