Estimate 401(k)-style nest egg with employer match limits, contributions, expected return, and inflation adjustment.
Overview
Workplace retirement plans combine employee deferrals, employer match formulas, investment returns, and decades of compounding. Small changes in match utilization or contribution percentage swing ending balances materially.
This calculator models recurring contributions, optional employer match caps, expected annual return, and inflation adjustment on the projected nest egg so you can see both nominal and purchasing-power views.
Not affiliated with CIT Bank/Merrill. Actual plans have vesting schedules, fund fees, loan provisions, and legal limits that you must verify in your summary plan description.
Steps
401(k) or similar balance today.
Annual pay and contribution rate.
Match percent and cap per paycheck or year.
Long-run investment assumption.
Horizon until withdrawals.
Adjust nominal result to real dollars.
Math
FV = PV(1+r)^n + PMT×match-enhanced annuity factor; Real = Nominal/(1+i)^n
Periodic contributions and match add to compounding portfolio growth; inflation deflates nominal ending value for planning.
Worked cases
25 years at 6% return
Match adds meaningful boost versus no match.
Higher PMT final years
Ending balance increases vs baseline.
Same contributions, lower r
Lower nest egg; safer planning assumption.
Why use this
Questions