401(k) Contribution Calculator 2026: Per Paycheck, Match and Max Out
See what your 401(k) percentage comes to per paycheck, how much your employer's match adds, and the percentage that maxes out the 2026 limit
By the Monthly Income Booster editorial team · Updated · How we research and fact-check
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401(k) Contribution Calculator 2026: Per Paycheck, Match and Max Out
Printed 2026-10-27 from billorganizingapp.com/income/calculators/401k-contribution/ — an estimate for planning, not financial or tax advice.
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Enter your age, salary, the percentage of pay you contribute, how often you are paid and your employer's match formula. The calculator shows your yearly and per-paycheck contribution, the match, the total going into the account, and the percentage of pay that would reach the 2026 limit of $24,500 ($32,500 from age 50, $35,750 at ages 60–63). Contributions are capped at the limit for your age.
2026 401(k) limits
IRS Notice 2025-67 sets the 2026 elective-deferral limit for 401(k), 403(b), governmental 457 plans and the Thrift Savings Plan at $24,500. If you are 50 or older by the end of the year you can add a $8,000 catch-up, for $32,500 in total; if you turn 60, 61, 62 or 63 in 2026 the catch-up is $11,250 instead, for $35,750. Your contributions plus your employer's (not counting catch-ups) can't pass $72,000, and only the first $360,000 of pay counts for plan contributions. One new rule for 2026: if your 2025 FICA wages from the employer were over $150,000, your catch-up contributions must go in as Roth.
How the match is worked out
A typical formula reads "50% of the first 6%": the employer adds 50 cents for every dollar you defer, on deferrals up to 6% of pay. On a $75,000 salary, contributing 10% puts in $7,500 a year — $288.46 from each of 26 paychecks. The match applies to the first 6% ($4,500), so the employer adds $2,250, for $9,750 in total. To max out at that salary you'd need 32.7% of pay, or $942.31 per paycheck. Some plans match each paycheck separately with no "true-up", so if you reach the limit early in the year you can lose match on later paychecks — check your plan's summary plan description.
Percentage of pay that maxes out the 2026 limit
The table uses the under-50 limit of $24,500. At incomes where the percentage is above 100% the limit can't be reached from pay alone.
| Salary | % of pay | Per paycheck (26) | Per paycheck (24) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | 61.3% | $942.31 | $1,020.83 |
| $60,000 | 40.8% | $942.31 | $1,020.83 |
| $75,000 | 32.7% | $942.31 | $1,020.83 |
| $100,000 | 24.5% | $942.31 | $1,020.83 |
| $150,000 | 16.3% | $942.31 | $1,020.83 |
What it doesn't include
Traditional (pre-tax) deferrals lower your federal income tax now, so your take-home pay falls by less than the contribution; Roth 401(k) deferrals don't. Both are still subject to Social Security and Medicare tax. Plans can set their own lower percentage caps and vesting schedules for the match. This is an illustration, not tax or investment advice.
Roth conversions
Pre-tax savings rolled to an IRA can later be converted to a Roth; see the tax on a conversion.
See also: Roth IRA vs 401(k).
Official sources
Tax rules, limits and pay data change. Check the current figures with the primary source before acting on them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 401(k) contribution limit for 2026?+
$24,500 in employee deferrals. People 50 or older can add $8,000 ($32,500 total), and people who turn 60–63 in 2026 can add $11,250 ($35,750 total). Employer contributions don't count toward these limits but do count toward the $72,000 combined limit.
What percentage do I need to max out my 401(k)?+
Divide the limit by your salary. On $75,000, $24,500 ÷ $75,000 = 32.7% of pay, or $942.31 from each of 26 paychecks.
How much is a 50% match on 6%?+
Half of what you defer, on deferrals up to 6% of pay — so at most 3% of salary. On $75,000 that is up to $2,250 a year, and you get all of it by contributing at least 6%.
Does the employer match count toward the $24,500 limit?+
No. The $24,500 limit covers only your own deferrals. Your deferrals plus employer contributions together are limited to $72,000 (catch-up contributions are on top).
Do 401(k) contributions reduce my paycheck one-for-one?+
Not for traditional pre-tax deferrals: they come out before federal income tax, so take-home pay drops by the contribution minus the income tax you no longer pay on it. Roth 401(k) deferrals come out after tax and reduce take-home pay by the full amount.
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