Project your 401(k) balance at retirement — and see exactly how much your employer match adds for free.
Projected balance at retirement
—
Your contributions—
Employer match (free money)—
Investment growth—
Estimates only. CalcPenny is not a lender, broker or financial adviser and this
is not financial advice. Verify figures before making decisions.
The match is a guaranteed return before growth even starts
An employer match is money you don't have to earn through investment returns — it's added
the moment you contribute enough to claim it. Contributing below the match cap means
turning down an immediate, guaranteed boost that no investment can reliably match on its
own. It's usually the very first thing to fix in a retirement plan.
Watching contributions compound alongside salary
As your salary grows, so does the dollar value of a fixed contribution percentage — this
projection accounts for that. See how much of your final balance came from your own
contributions versus the employer match versus pure investment growth in the chart above.
For a broader retirement number based on spending rather than a specific account, see the
FIRE Calculator.
Frequently asked questions
What is employer matching?
Many employers match a portion of what you contribute to your 401(k) — for example, matching your contributions dollar-for-dollar up to 4% of your salary. If you contribute less than the match cap, you are leaving free money on the table.
How much should I contribute to get the full match?
At minimum, contribute at least up to your employer's match cap — it is an immediate, guaranteed return on that portion before any investment growth even happens. Beyond that, contribute as much as your budget and contribution limits allow.
Does this account for contribution limits?
No — this projects based on your entered percentages without capping at annual IRS contribution limits, which change yearly and differ by age. Check current limits so your actual contribution stays compliant.
Does this assume I'm fully vested in the employer match?
Yes — some employers use a vesting schedule where you only keep the match after a certain number of years of service. Check your plan's vesting rules, since leaving early can mean forfeiting unvested employer contributions.