Project your total nest egg with employer match, compare Roth vs. Traditional after-tax savings, and track your 2026 IRS contribution limits ($23,500).
2026 Limit: $23,500
e.g., 50% match (dollar-for-dollar = 100%)
e.g., up to 6% of your salary
Historical S&P 500 average is 7-10%
Calculates purchasing power in today's dollars
Used for Traditional 401(k) after-tax net value
$1,695,019
Purchasing Power (In Today's Dollars): $794,117
Roth 401(k) (Tax-Free):
$1,622,030
Traditional 401(k) (22% Tax):
$1,322,115
$2,400 / year
$260,000
$84,000
$1,351,019
The single most powerful wealth-building feature of any employer-sponsored retirement plan is the employer match. Financial planners refer to the 401(k) match as an immediate, guaranteed 50% to 100% return on your investment.
The most common matching formula in the United States is 50% of your contributions up to 6% of your salary. For example, on an $80,000 salary:
Choosing between a Traditional 401(k) and a Roth 401(k) comes down to when you want to pay taxes:
• Contributions are made pre-tax, lowering your taxable income this year.
• Investments grow tax-deferred.
• Best for: High-income earners in peak tax brackets who expect to be in a lower tax bracket during retirement.
• Contributions are made with after-tax dollars (no immediate tax deduction).
• Both contributions and all investment gains grow 100% tax-free.
• Best for: Younger workers or those who expect tax rates to increase in the future.
The IRS updates 401(k) contribution limits annually based on inflation indexes. For 2026, the limits are:
While the Bankrate 401k calculator is widely known, our calculator offers several key advantages tailored for modern financial planning:
Taking money out of your 401(k) before age 59½ can trigger a 10% IRS penalty, mandatory 20% federal tax withholding, and state taxes—eating up to 40%+ of your balance.
Open 401(k) Early Withdrawal Tax & Penalty Calculator →