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401(k) calculator

See what your 401(k) becomes by retirement, with the employer match counted separately so you can tell how much of the balance you did not have to fund yourself.

6%
50%
6%
30 yrs
7%
Balance in 30 years
$912,931
You put in
$178,000
Employer added
$76,500
Growth
$658,431
Growth over time
Yr 1
$34,400
Yr 4
$66,735
Yr 7
$106,348
Yr 10
$154,875
Yr 13
$214,322
Yr 16
$287,148
Yr 19
$376,362
Yr 22
$485,654
Yr 25
$619,541
Yr 28
$783,558
Yr 30
$912,931
Your contributions Employer match Growth

Projection only. Returns are not guaranteed, vesting schedules can delay when employer contributions become yours, and withdrawals in retirement are taxed as ordinary income from a traditional 401(k). The 2026 elective deferral limit of $24,500 is applied; catch-up contributions for age 50 and over are not.

In short

Contribute at least enough to earn your full employer match; anything less is a pay cut you chose. The 2026 elective deferral limit is $24,500, rising by $8,000 in catch-up contributions from age 50. Employer money does not count against that limit.

The match is the whole game early on

A 50% match is an instant 50% return, before a single dollar is invested. No market return reliably competes with that, which is why capturing the full match comes before almost any other use of the money. Traditional 401(k) contributions also reduce your taxable income now, so check the effect on your paycheck with the take-home pay calculator.

Frequently asked questions

How much can I contribute to a 401(k) in 2026?

$24,500 in elective deferrals. If you are 50 or older you can add a catch-up contribution of $8,000, and between ages 60 and 63 that catch-up rises to $11,250 under SECURE 2.0. Employer contributions do not count toward your elective deferral limit.

What does a 50% match up to 6% actually mean?

Your employer adds 50 cents for every dollar you contribute, but only on the first 6% of your salary. Contribute 6% and you get the full match. Contribute 3% and you get half of it, permanently forfeiting the rest. Contributing 10% earns no extra match, because the employer cap is still 6%.

Should I contribute more than the match?

The match is the highest guaranteed return available to almost anyone, so capture all of it first. Beyond that it becomes a judgment call against paying off high-interest debt and building emergency savings, both of which usually take priority over extra retirement contributions.

What is vesting and why does it matter?

Vesting is how long you must stay before employer contributions are actually yours. Your own contributions are always yours immediately. Employer money may vest gradually over several years, so leaving early can mean forfeiting part of the match this calculator projects.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. Information may be simplified, incomplete, or out of date. Consult a licensed professional before making financial decisions. VaultNerd may receive compensation from partners featured on this site. This does not influence our editorial content.
Written by
VaultNerd Editorial Team

Researching and writing about Canadian personal finance since 2026.

Last reviewed August 2026 · How we research

Cite this page

“401(k) Calculator.” VaultNerd, https://www.vaultnerd.com/tools/401k-calculator, updated August 2026.

Sources
  • IRS Notice 2025-67: 2026 retirement plan contribution limits
  • IRS: 401(k) limit increases to $24,500 for 2026