Maximize your employer match and optimize your tax strategy. Our intelligent calculator helps you make the most of your 401(k) benefits.
401(k) data backed by IRS & plan providers
Contribution limits, catch-up rules, and employer match assumptions use IRS guidelines and Fidelity/Vanguard benchmarks so every projection stays current.
Limits refreshed annually after IRS releases; match data updated quarterly from plan provider surveys.
Compliance & privacy checklist
Inputs stay inside your browser. Each release passes privacy, localization, and fiduciary reviews for educational readiness.
Document salary, match, taxes, and monitoring so every contribution has a follow-up task.
Log base pay, bonuses, and RSU refreshers so the calculator can project compliant contribution amounts.
Test employee percentages, catch-up toggles, and employer formulas to eliminate match leakage.
Run Roth vs. Traditional scenarios using your current and expected retirement tax brackets.
Export the plan to ROI and AI calculators, schedule reminders, and re-run after each salary or market change.
Annual contribution: $4,500.00
e.g., 50% means 50 cents per dollar
e.g., 6% means match up to 6% of salary
Two anonymized workflows showing the handoff to AI, reverse, and ROI planners.
Product marketing manager with multiple RSU grants.
Operations analyst balancing student loans and 401(k).
Employer matching is free money your company contributes to your 401(k) based on your contributions. Common formulas include 50% match up to 6% of salary, or 100% match up to 3%. Always contribute at least enough to get the full match.
It depends on your current tax rate vs expected retirement tax rate. Traditional is better if you expect lower taxes in retirement. Roth is better if you expect higher taxes or want tax-free retirement income. Many experts recommend a mix of both for tax diversification.
Excess contributions must be withdrawn by April 15 of the following year to avoid penalties. Your plan administrator will typically notify you and help process the correction. Excess amounts are subject to double taxation if not corrected timely.
Most plans allow you to change your contribution percentage at any time, with changes taking effect within 1-2 pay periods. Check with your HR department or plan administrator for specific rules.
Datasets powering contribution limits, match assumptions, and growth projections.
IRS 401(k) Contribution Limits
Annual contribution limits, catch-up provisions, and highly compensated employee rules.
Fidelity & Vanguard Plan Benchmarks
Average match rates, participation rates, and median balances by age group.
Federal Reserve FRED Database
Treasury yields and inflation expectations for conservative growth assumptions.
Cadence: IRS limits annually, FRED weekly, plan benchmarks quarterly.
Examples are educational only and not individualized fiduciary advice.
Use ROI and reverse calculators to translate contribution math into cash-flow checkpoints and accountability.