Will Your 401(k) Be Enough?

Get honest about your retirement savings. See what your 401(k) will actually provide — and whether it's enough to live on.

There's a lot of optimistic projections in retirement planning. This calculator is more honest. Yes, you'll see your projected balance — but you'll also get context on what that balance actually means. A million dollars sounds like a lot until you realize that safely withdrawing 4% per year gives you $40,000 annually. Is that enough for your lifestyle? Maybe. Maybe not. Enter your numbers and see both the impressive total and the practical annual income it provides. If the income number is lower than you expected, now you know — and you can adjust your contributions, timeline, or expectations. Better to face reality now than be surprised in your 60s.

Calculator

$
$
%
%
%
%
Projected Balance
$0.00
Your Annual Contribution
$0.00
Employer Annual Match
$0.00
Total Contributions
$0.00
Investment Growth
$0.00

Common use cases

  • Understanding what your 401(k) balance actually provides as income
  • Setting realistic retirement expectations
  • Deciding whether to increase contributions now
  • Planning for a retirement that matches your lifestyle goals

How to use

  1. Enter your current 401(k) balance
  2. Input your annual salary
  3. Set your contribution percentage
  4. Enter your employer's match rate and limit
  5. Specify years until retirement
  6. Set expected investment returns
  7. View your projected retirement balance

FAQ

What is 401(k) employer matching?

Many employers match a portion of your contributions, such as 50% of your contribution up to 6% of salary. This is essentially free money.

What are the 401(k) contribution limits?

For 2024, the employee contribution limit is $23,000, or $30,500 if you're 50 or older (catch-up contributions).

Should I max out my 401(k)?

At minimum, contribute enough to get the full employer match. Maxing out provides maximum tax-advantaged growth.

Why does my big balance give me less income than expected?

To avoid running out of money, most advisors suggest withdrawing only 3-4% annually. A $1M balance = ~$40K/year safely.

This calculator provides illustrative estimates for planning purposes only and does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice.