Why match capture is the #1 priority
Employer match is a 100% instant return. Always contribute at least enough to capture the full match before any other investment — paying down high-interest debt is a rare exception. Skipping match is leaving 50–100% of salary growth on the table.
The 60–63 super catch-up
SECURE 2.0 added a higher catch-up ($11,250) for ages 60–63 starting 2025. Most savers miss this — and miss the easiest tax-deferred surge of their career. Plan for it in your final pre-retirement years.
Roth 401(k) vs. traditional
Roth 401(k) uses after-tax dollars, tax-free growth, tax-free withdrawal. Traditional reverses: pre-tax now, taxed in retirement. The rule of thumb: Roth if you'll be in a higher bracket later, Traditional if lower. Most mid-career professionals split 50/50.
FAQ
What is mega backdoor Roth?
If your plan allows after-tax contributions + in-plan Roth conversion, you can route up to $46,500 extra (the gap between $23,500 employee limit and $70,000 total cap) into Roth. Confirm with HR — only ~40% of plans permit it.
How does vesting affect the projection?
Match contributions typically vest over 3–6 years. If you leave before fully vested, you forfeit the unvested portion. Factor this into job-change decisions.
Is 7% a realistic return?
7% real (after inflation) approximates the long-run S&P 500 average. Sequence-of-returns risk near retirement makes 5–6% safer for projection. Recalculate annually.
How this calculator is built
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Written by Sam Doshi and the RevenueLab editorial team. We don't sell the data feeds this tool is built on.
Sourced from primary data
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Last reviewed
June 2026. We re-check every figure on the platform on a rolling quarterly cycle.
Editorial standards
See our editorial policy and disclaimer. Results are estimates, not advice.