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Retirement Savings Calculator

Project your 401(k) growth with contributions and employer match.

Your numbers

Projected retirement value
$1,838,270.66
Total contributions
$403,000.00
Investment growth
$1,435,270.66
Employer match received
$90,000.00
Monthly contribution (with match)
$1,050.00

Breakdown

Contributions vs projected growth

How this calculator works

Retirement feels distant until you see the numbers: small monthly contributions, compounded over decades, routinely grow into seven figures. This retirement savings calculator projects your nest egg from your current savings, monthly contribution, expected return and years to retirement — and it includes the part too many people leave on the table, the employer 401(k) match. Enter your salary, your employer's match formula (for example, 50% of your contributions up to 6% of salary), and the calculator adds that free money into every month of the projection.

The stacked chart tells the real story: early on, your contributions are most of the balance; later, investment growth takes over and dwarfs what you put in. That crossover is why starting early beats contributing more later — a 25-year-old contributing modestly usually ends up ahead of a 40-year-old contributing aggressively. The match deserves special attention: not contributing enough to capture the full match is an instant pay cut, often worth thousands per year. Treat the return as a long-term average (7–8% nominal is a common planning assumption for stock-heavy portfolios), remember inflation will erode purchasing power, and revisit the plan yearly as salary and goals change.

Frequently asked questions

How does the employer 401(k) match work?
A common formula: your employer adds 50% of what you contribute, up to 6% of your salary. Contribute at least enough to get the full match — it is an instant 50–100% return.
How much should I save for retirement?
A widely used rule: save 15% of gross income (including the employer match) starting in your 20s. Fidelity suggests having 10x your final salary saved by age 67.
What return should I assume?
For a stock-heavy portfolio, 7–8% nominal annual return is a common long-term planning assumption. Use lower figures as you near retirement and shift toward bonds.
Does inflation matter?
Yes — at 3% inflation, prices double roughly every 24 years. Subtract expected inflation from your nominal return to think in today's dollars.
Disclaimer: Results are estimates for planning purposes only and are not financial advice. Actual loan terms, taxes and investment returns vary — consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions.