A 401(k) projection is strongest when it separates employee deferrals, employer match, IRS caps, catch-up rules, inflation, and compounding. The IRS lists two separate contribution limits: employee elective deferrals and the overall annual additions limit in its 401(k) contribution guide.
For 2026, the IRS announced a $24,500 employee limit, $8,000 age-50 catch-up, and $11,250 enhanced catch-up for ages 60-63. Adjust the fields if your plan or tax year differs.
The employer match can be modeled as a match percentage up to a salary percentage, with vesting applied before it reaches the final balance.
Use the inflation-adjusted line to sanity-check purchasing power. For a second opinion on compounding mechanics, compare with Investor.gov's compound interest calculator.
The match is the obvious win, but the hidden lever is increasing your own contribution rate before salary growth and compounding do the heavy lifting.
Projected 401(k) Balance
30 years · age 65 · real value: $1,543,759
Monthly Retirement Income
$10,794
Annual estimate: $129,526
Income Replacement
57.9%
Final salary: $223,874
Current Year Limit
$24,500
Max-out monthly: $2,042
Current Match
$2,850
Vested match total: $135,590
Balance Timeline
Balance Sources
Contribution Plan
Source Totals
