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401(k) Calculator with Employer Match

Enter your age, salary and how much you put in. The calculator shows what your employer adds, whether you are missing part of the match and what your 401(k) could be worth when you retire.

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Where the numbers come from

Good to know

This is an estimate for general information. It is not tax, legal or financial advice. Your payslip can differ because of tax codes, credits, local taxes, benefits and your employer's rules. Check official guidance or ask a qualified adviser.

What it does

  • Common match formulas built in, plus a custom option
  • Shows the free money you leave unclaimed each year
  • Projection to retirement with raises and investment growth
  • Compares your plan with contributing enough to get the full match
  • Uses the 2026 IRS limits, including catch-up contributions

How to use it

  1. Enter your age, the age you plan to retire and your salary.
  2. Enter the percentage of pay you put into your 401(k) and your current balance.
  3. Pick your employer's match formula, or choose Custom and enter it.
  4. Read what you are missing and see the two projections side by side.

How does an employer match work?

A match means your employer adds money to your 401(k) when you add your own. A common formula is 100% of the first 3% of your pay plus 50% of the next 2%. That means if you put in 5% of your pay, your employer adds another 4%. If you put in only 3%, you get 3% from them and leave 1% of your pay behind, which is free money you never claim.

The projection grows your balance each year with the return and salary raise you choose, and adds your contributions and the match. The IRS limits what you can put in yourself each year: $24,500 for 2026, plus $8,000 more from age 50, and $11,250 more at ages 60 to 63. The employer match does not count towards that personal limit. Returns are not guaranteed, so treat the numbers as an illustration.

Example

Someone aged 35 earning $80,000 puts in 3% with a match of 100% on the first 3% and 50% on the next 2%. To get the full match they would need to save 5%, so they are missing $800 a year. With a 2% yearly raise, 6% return and $20,000 saved, 30 years later they could have about $587,000 saving 3%, or about $823,000 saving 5%.

Questions people ask

What is the 2026 401(k) limit?
You can contribute up to $24,500 of your own pay in 2026. People aged 50 and over can add $8,000, and people aged 60 to 63 can add $11,250 instead.
Is the employer match included in that limit?
No. The match is separate and does not count towards your personal limit, though there is a higher overall limit for all contributions.
What if my employer's formula is different?
Choose Custom and enter the match percentage and the cap on your pay. Your HR or plan documents will tell you the exact formula.
What return should I assume?
Many planners use somewhere between 5% and 7% a year before inflation. Markets go up and down, so try a lower number too.
Is this financial advice?
No. It is a general calculator that shows an illustration. For your own situation, check the IRS guidance or speak to a qualified adviser.

Disclaimer

This tool is for general information only. It is not financial, tax, investment or legal advice, and results are estimates that may differ from your bank, lender or tax authority. Rates, limits and tax rules change. Bank and brand names are used only to describe what the tool does; they belong to their owners and we are not affiliated with them. Check the figures with a qualified professional or your provider before you decide. You use this tool at your own risk, and TheFreeTool is not liable for any loss that follows. Read the full disclaimer

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