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IRA & 401(k) contribution calculator

IRA contribution calculator for personal Traditional/Roth IRA, plus workplace 401(k) and SIMPLE IRA (limits, match, and catch-up).

Account type401(k): workplace elective deferrals + optional match. SIMPLE IRA: workplace plan with required employer contributions (often a 3% match). IRA: personal Traditional or Roth contributions (no employer match).
Contribution yearIRS contribution and catch-up limits change by calendar year.
For 401(k): gross pay for deferral %. For IRA: taxable compensation caps how much you can contribute.
$
Percent of salary (401(k)) or taxable compensation (IRA) you plan to put in.
%
How the employer match is calculated. Simple = 100% of your deferrals up to a % of salary. Classic = 100% on the first 3% of salary, then 50% on the next 2% (a common 401(k) formula; max employer cost is 4% of pay when you defer 5%+).
Age 50+ can contribute extra catch-up dollars. 401(k) and SIMPLE IRA may allow higher ages 60–63 super catch-up if the plan allows. Personal Traditional/Roth IRAs only have standard age-50+ catch-up.
How many years to project growth of this year’s contributions. Set to 0 to skip the growth estimate and only show annual contribution amounts.
Assumed average yearly growth rate for the projection only — not a guarantee. A common long-term stock mix planning range is roughly 6–8%; use 0 for no growth.
%

Total annual contribution

$14,000

You $10,000· Match $4,000

Breakdown
Base annual limit$24,500
Catch-up limit (if eligible)$0
Age-based max (before other caps)$24,500
Effective max this year$24,500
Room left$14,500
Overall plan limit (employee + employer)$72,000
Projected balance$573,937
  • Traditional and Roth 401(k) elective deferrals share one IRS limit ($24,500 for 2026).
  • Employer match formula: 100% on first 3% of salary, then 50% on next 2% of salary.
  • Simplified 401(k) model: elective deferrals + tiered match. Omits mega backdoor, true-up, vesting, and high-earner Roth catch-up mandates.

How this 401(k) and IRA room is built

This calculator applies IRS contribution ceilings for the year you pick, plus an employer match formula in workplace modes. It does not connect to your plan administrator.

401(k) mode

Employee elective deferrals (traditional + Roth 401(k) share one bucket) are capped at $23,500 (2025) or $24,500 (2026) if you are under 50, plus catch-up if 50+ ($7,500 / $8,000) or super catch-up ages 60–63 when the plan allows ($11,250). Employee + employer cannot exceed the 415(c) overall limit ($70,000 / $72,000).

Classic match (default): 100% on the first 3% of salary you defer, then 50% on the next 2%. On $100,000 salary, deferring 5% or more captures $4,000 of match (3% + 1%). Deferring 3% captures only $3,000. Money you leave unmatched is usually the highest “return” available in this model — it is a grant, not a market forecast.

Simple % of pay: 100% of deferrals up to one cap (common on SIMPLE IRAs; default 3% in that mode).

SIMPLE IRA and IRA modes

SIMPLE IRA uses lower employee limits ($16,500 / $17,000 standard) and its own catch-up schedule. Personal IRA mode uses the IRA ceiling ($7,000 / $7,500 under 50 plus catch-up) and, for Roth, MAGI phase-out ranges by filing status. Backdoor Roth is not modeled. Personal IRAs have no employer match and no 60–63 super catch-up.

SEP IRA employer contributions are not in this tool. For a personal IRA ceiling use IRA mode; for a workplace plan use 401(k) or SIMPLE IRA.

To size a 401(k) max and a Roth IRA in the same sitting, run 401(k) mode first, then switch Account type to IRA / Roth — the two IRS limits are separate buckets.

What to do with leftover cash

Capture the match first, then consider HSA if you have an HDHP, then IRA room, then taxable growth. Tax timing is a separate question: Roth vs traditional.

Tables: This year — retirement. Guide: 401(k), SIMPLE IRA & IRA contribution basics.

Frequently asked questions

Read 401(k), SIMPLE IRA & IRA contribution basics

Is this an IRA contribution calculator?

Yes. Switch Account type to IRA for a personal Traditional or Roth IRA contribution calculator: annual IRS limits, age-50+ catch-up, compensation cap, and Roth IRA MAGI phase-outs by filing status. Use 401(k) or SIMPLE IRA mode for workplace plans.

What is the difference between 401(k), SIMPLE IRA, and IRA mode?

401(k) mode uses workplace elective deferral limits (traditional + Roth 401(k) share one limit) and optional employer match formulas (classic 3%+2%, simple % of pay, or custom). SIMPLE IRA mode uses lower workplace salary-reduction limits and a typical flat match. Personal IRA mode uses much lower traditional/Roth limits with no employer match.

What are the IRA limits?

Under age 50: $7,000 in 2025 and $7,500 in 2026. Age 50+: add $1,000 (2025) or $1,100 (2026). Contributions also cannot exceed taxable compensation. Direct Roth IRA contributions are further limited by modified AGI phase-outs.

How do Roth IRA MAGI phase-outs work here?

When you select Roth IRA, enter filing status and modified AGI. Full direct contributions are allowed below the phase-out start; the limit declines through the range; above the end of the range the direct Roth limit is $0. Ranges use IRS figures for 2025 and 2026 (for example, 2026 single is $153,000–$168,000). Backdoor Roth is not modeled.

What about catch-up contributions?

401(k): age 50+ standard catch-up is $7,500 (2025) or $8,000 (2026); ages 60–63 may use $11,250 super catch-up if the plan allows. SIMPLE IRA has its own lower catch-up and super catch-up amounts. Personal Traditional/Roth IRAs only have standard age-50+ catch-up (no separate 60–63 super catch-up).

What is the overall 401(k) plan limit?

Employee plus employer contributions are limited under IRC 415(c)—$70,000 in 2025 and $72,000 in 2026. This tool reduces employer match if needed so the total stays within that cap.

Is this a 401(k) max contribution calculator?

Yes, in 401(k) mode. It caps employee elective deferrals at the IRS maximum for the year (plus catch-up if you qualify) and can show how much to defer to max out, including a classic employer match formula. Traditional and Roth 401(k) share one elective-deferral bucket.

Can I max out a 401(k) and a Roth IRA together?

They are separate limits. Run 401(k) mode for the workplace elective maximum and match, then switch Account type to IRA and choose Roth to apply the personal IRA ceiling and MAGI phase-outs. This page does not add the two limits into one combined “max out” number automatically.

Does this include a SIMPLE IRA contribution calculator?

Yes. Switch Account type to SIMPLE IRA for the lower workplace salary-reduction limits, SIMPLE catch-up, and a typical flat match. Confirm the match formula with your plan.

Do you have a SEP IRA contribution calculator?

No. SEP IRA employer contributions are not modeled. Use IRA mode for a personal Traditional or Roth IRA, or SIMPLE IRA / 401(k) for workplace plans.

Compare this

Two paths, same math — pick the number that matches the decision.

This year (2026)

All limits

401(k) employee deferral$24,500IRA contribution$7,500HSA self-only$4,400

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