401(k) projection
Your deferrals, the employer match they earn, and the growth compounding over both.
Projected balance
$302,417
The match is an instant return
match/mo = salary ÷ 12 × min(deferral, ceiling)% × match% then FV as usual Every dollar of match is a return you cannot get anywhere else, so the receipt keeps it as its own line — deposited dollars, matched dollars, and growth are weighed separately even though they compound together. Raise your deferral past the match ceiling and watch the match line stop moving while yours keeps climbing.
Assumptions on the counter
- Constant monthly-compounded return; no fees, no market swings.
- Deferral held at a fixed percent of a fixed salary — no raises modeled.
- No contribution-limit checks; IRS limits change yearly and may bind high earners.
- Assumes full vesting; unvested match can be forfeited on departure.
Questions people ask
How does the employer match work in this calculator?
A common plan reads “100% of your deferrals up to 4%” or “50% up to 6%.” Enter the match rate and the deferral ceiling separately — the calculator pays the match only on the part of your contribution under the ceiling, so contributing past it never loses the match you already earn.
What return should I assume?
The default 7% is a long-run stock-market estimate, not a promise. Compounding here is monthly and constant, which real markets are not — treat the output as a planning shape, not a forecast.
Does this include taxes?
No. Traditional 401(k) balances are pre-tax; withdrawals are taxed later, Roth contributions are taxed going in. This projection shows the balance itself — pair it with the take-home paycheck calculator to see what the deferral costs you each month.