ScoutMyTool

401(k) Calculator

401(k) growth projection with employer match and salary increases.

Inputs

$
$0$125K
$
$0$375K
%
0%50%
% of salary
%
0%50%
% of salary they add
150
%
0%30%
%
0%20%

Result

Balance at retirement (30 yrs)
$1,244,887.42
At retirement
$1220k
You$214,089(18%)
Employer$142,726(12%)
Growth$863,072(71%)
  • Your total contributions$214,089.37
  • Employer match contributions$142,726.25
  • Total contributed (you + employer)$356,815.62
  • Compounded growth$863,071.80
  • Final salaryafter 30 yrs of 3% growth$182,044.69

How to use this calculator

  • Enter your current 401(k) balance and your annual salary.
  • Set your contribution % (try at least enough to capture the full employer match).
  • Add the employer match — common: 50% of the first 6% you contribute, so set 3%.
  • Use 7% return long-term, 3% salary growth.

About this tool

A 401(k) is the most powerful retirement vehicle most workers have access to — pre-tax contributions, tax-deferred growth, and (often) free money from your employer in the form of matching. This calculator models all of it: your contribution percentage, employer match (commonly 50% of your contribution up to 6% of salary), expected investment return, and salary growth over time. Watch what happens when you bump your contribution from 3% to 6% with a 4% match — you're effectively adding 7% of your salary to your future self every year.

Frequently asked

Minimum: enough to capture the full employer match — that's a guaranteed 100% return. Better: 10-15% of salary including the match. Max in 2025: $23,500 (under 50) or $31,000 (50+).

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