See the paycheck tradeoff and long-term savings effect of a 401(k)
Other pre-tax deductions⌄
How your 401(k) changes this paycheck
With 401(k)
Without 401(k)
Annual projection
Your projected annual contribution based on the selected percentage and IRS cap.
Estimated annual employer match based on your match settings.
Combined employee and employer dollars for the year.
Assumes a 7% annual return.
This calculator provides estimates for informational purposes only. Results are not guaranteed to be accurate for every individual's tax situation. Consult a tax professional for advice specific to your situation. Tax rates and brackets are based on 2026 federal and state guidelines.
Questions people ask before they run the numbers
Why does my take-home pay drop by less than the contribution amount?⌄
Because 401(k) contributions reduce taxable wages for federal withholding and usually for state withholding too, part of the contribution is offset by lower tax withholding.
Does the calculator respect the 2026 IRS 401(k) cap?⌄
Yes. It limits annual employee contributions to the 2026 base limit and adds the catch-up amount when the over-50 option is checked.
How is employer match handled?⌄
The estimate applies the match percentage up to the salary percentage cap you enter, then adds that match into the annual retirement projection.
What does the projected balance assume?⌄
It uses a simple future-value model with a 7% annual return and the years between your current age and age 65.