401(k) / Roth IRA Calculator
Input Information
Result
Projected balance
$1,675,976
Total contributions
$374,000
Investment growth
$1,301,976
After-tax value
$1,424,579
Balance by age
Project your 401(k) or Roth IRA balance with employer match, expected return, and tax treatment. Compare after-tax value between Traditional and Roth.
- Enter your current age and target retirement age.
- Enter your salary, your contribution %, and employer match terms.
- Set expected return and tax rates, then review the result.
Example: $80,000 salary, 10% own, 50% match (cap 6%)
Your annual contribution $8,000; employer matches 50% of up to 6% of salary ($4,800) = $2,400. Total $10,400 compounds annually.
B: current balance, C: annual total contribution, r: monthly rate, n: total months
- Always contribute at least to the match cap (free return).
- Traditional favors you when your current tax rate exceeds retirement rate.
QWhat is the biggest difference between 401(k) and Roth IRA?
A 401(k) is employer-sponsored; Traditional gives a tax deduction now and is taxed on withdrawal, while Roth is after-tax now and tax-free later. A Roth IRA is individual, with income limits.
QShould I always capture the full employer match?
Yes. Match is essentially free money compounding over time. If your plan offers 50% match up to 6% of salary, contributing at least to that cap is usually optimal.
QIs there a penalty for withdrawing before age 59.5?
Withdrawals before 59.5 generally incur a 10% early-withdrawal penalty, plus ordinary income tax for Traditional. Some exceptions (e.g., first home) apply.