401(k) Contribution Calculator

The 2026 contribution limit

The IRS basic employee elective deferral limit for 2026 is $24,500 across traditional and Roth 401(k) deferrals combined. This tool caps its employee contribution at that basic limit and shows the remaining room. It does not calculate age-based catch-up contributions, special plan limits, compensation limits, or contributions you may have already made to another employer's plan this year. Employers may also set plan-specific restrictions.

Enter annual gross salary and the percentage you want to defer. At $60,000 a year, 10% is $6,000. If you enter a percentage that would produce $30,000 instead, the displayed employee contribution is limited to $24,500 under this basic-limit model. Any salary-based match is shown separately because an employer contribution generally does not use up your employee elective deferral limit.

Traditional versus Roth tax effects

Traditional pretax 401(k) deferrals generally lower current federal taxable income, while qualified Roth 401(k) contributions do not lower it today. The federal tax savings estimate here assumes the contribution is traditional pretax and compares estimated 2026 federal bracket tax on salary before and after the employee deferral using the selected filing status and standard deduction. It is not a guarantee of a refund or a recommendation to choose traditional over Roth.

A pretax 401(k) contribution generally does not reduce Social Security or Medicare wages. State taxation varies, and withdrawals in retirement can be taxable. Roth contributions reverse much of the timing: you pay current income tax on the contributed wages, but qualified Roth distributions may be tax-free. Your current and expected future tax circumstances matter more than a single year's estimated savings.

How to read the growth projection

The employer match field is an assumed percentage of salary actually contributed by the employer each year. Real matching formulas often depend on how much you contribute, such as matching half of contributions up to a specified share of pay. Enter the effective annual employer contribution percentage for a realistic approximation; the tool does not enforce your plan's matching formula or vesting rules.

The projection assumes unchanged annual salary, employee contributions, match, and investment return. It adds contributions at the end of each year and compounds existing savings at your entered annual return. Market returns vary, and fees, investment losses, inflation, raises, or interruptions can change the outcome substantially. The figure is an illustrative future nominal balance, not a promised retirement income.

If your employer offers a match, read the plan document to understand vesting and eligibility before relying on it. Review existing contributions across jobs so you do not exceed the annual employee deferral limit. If you are age 50 or older, you may qualify for catch-up amounts not included here. A financial or tax adviser can help with individualized decisions.