PFCHow to use this calculator
This calculator estimates a full year of employee 401(k) contributions and employer matching for 2026. It applies the modeled contribution limits and shows an average employee contribution per paycheck.
- Enter your annual eligible salary and age at the end of 2026.
- Choose your contribution percentage, employer match percentage, and the portion of salary eligible for matching.
- Select the annual paycheck count and review the employee contribution, employer match, and remaining contribution room.
Illustrative example
On $100,000.00 eligible salary, a 10% employee contribution is $10,000.00 annually. A 50% match on contributions up to 6% of salary adds $3,000.00, for $13,000.00 combined.
These example values are for explanation. They are not current market quotes or personalized recommendations.
Calculation method
The employee contribution is eligible compensation times the contribution percentage, limited by the modeled annual employee cap. The employer match applies to the smaller of the employee contribution and the selected match-eligible portion of salary, then is limited by the combined contribution cap.
Assumptions and limitations
Full-year 2026 illustration for a standard 401(k), assuming no contributions to other plans. Employee limit: $24,500; eligible age-50+ catch-up: $8,000, or $11,250 at ages 60–63. Percentages use eligible pay capped at $360,000. Combined contributions are capped at the lesser of $72,000 or compensation, plus actual catch-up contributions. Match is calculated annually with a full true-up and full vesting. Your plan may use different eligible pay, payroll matching, and eligibility rules. Traditional and Roth deferrals share the employee limit. No income-tax savings or take-home pay is estimated; Roth catch-up requirements may apply. The paycheck amount is an annual average.
Sources
2026 401(k) contribution calculator FAQs
Choose a question to read the answer, then try your own numbers in the free calculator.
How are my 401(k) contributions calculated?
The calculator multiplies eligible annual compensation by your employee contribution percentage, then applies its modeled 2026 contribution limits. It estimates employer matching separately and divides your employee contribution by the annual paycheck count.
Can I use this to calculate contributions for the rest of the year?
This tool models a full year. It does not subtract year-to-date contributions or divide the remaining contribution room over remaining paychecks. Check your payroll records and plan rules before using the annual estimate to change a midyear election.
What does a 50% match up to 6% mean?
The employer contributes 50 cents for each dollar you contribute, on contributions up to 6% of eligible salary. With sufficient employee contributions, that is a match equal to 3% of eligible salary.
Does this estimate retirement income?
No. It is a full-year contribution planner, not a retirement balance or withdrawal projection.
Will the paycheck amount match payroll?
It is an annual average. Your plan’s payroll limits, eligible pay, matching schedule, true-up policy, and vesting can change the actual result.
PFC provides mathematical planning estimates. Tax and retirement rules in these tools are for 2026 and do not update automatically. Check the cited sources and the terms that apply to your situation.