401(k) Growth Calculator

A 401(k) projection answers a specific question: at a fixed contribution and a fixed return, what will the account be worth at retirement, and how much of that did the employer match create? The arithmetic is a future-value calculation with two additions a year, yours and the match.

Current balanceWhat is already in the account.Annual contributionThe amount you add each year.Employer match (per 1 you contribute)0.5 means 50 cents per 1 you contribute.Expected annual return(%)Assumed average growth rate.Years until retirementHow long the money keeps growing.

Projected balance

$1,084,421.38

Your contributions: $250,000.00
Employer match: $125,000.00
Investment growth: $709,421.38

Values update as you type. This calculator covers the single scenario its formula assumes — see Common Mistakes for what it leaves out.

The formula this calculator uses

FV = B(1+r)^t + (C + M) x [((1+r)^t - 1) / r]

B: Current balance at the start
C: Your annual contribution
M: Employer match added per year
r: Expected annual return as a decimal
t: Years until retirement

How to check the result by hand

1
Find the match
Multiply your annual contribution by the match rate. A 50% match on 10,000 a year is 5,000 of employer money annually.
2
Compound the opening balance
Multiply the current balance by (1+r) raised to the number of years. This part needs no further deposits.
3
Value the yearly deposits
Use the annuity factor ((1+r)^t - 1) / r and multiply by your contribution plus the match.
4
Add the two parts
Sum the compounded balance and the annuity value to get the projected retirement balance.
5
Split the sources
Total contributions are C times t; total match is M times t; everything above those two is investment growth.

For worked examples, common mistakes and the limits of this formula, read the full How To Calculate 401(k) Growth page.