Free 401(k) contribution calculator. Find your per-paycheck contribution, remaining room to the annual limit, and catch-up eligibility for 2025 ($23,500 limit, $7,500 catch-up for 50+).
The 401(k) Contribution Calculator helps you determine how much you can still contribute to your 401(k) this year and what that translates to per paycheck. For 2025, the IRS contribution limit is $23,500 for those under 50, and $31,000 for those 50 and older (including the $7,500 catch-up contribution). A new "super catch-up" allows those aged 60-63 to contribute an additional $11,250.
Knowing your remaining contribution room and per-paycheck amount helps you plan to maximize your 401(k) before year-end. This is especially important if you want to hit the annual limit, capture the full employer match, or adjust your contribution rate after mid-year changes.
Enter your salary, current year-to-date contributions, pay frequency, and age to see your remaining room and optimal per-paycheck amount. Understanding contribution limits and paycheck timing helps you capture the maximum tax advantage and avoid triggering plan excess-deferral corrections at year end. Proper planning also prevents front-loading that reduces your employer match.
Maximizing your 401(k) contributions provides significant tax savings and retirement growth. This calculator shows exactly how much room you have left in the year and the per-paycheck amount needed to hit the limit, helping you avoid under-contributing or accidentally exceeding the annual cap. Starting early in the year gives your contributions more time to grow tax-deferred.
Annual Limit = $23,500 (under 50) or $31,000 (50-59, 64+) or $34,750 (60-63, super catch-up) Remaining Room = Annual Limit − YTD Contributions Per Paycheck = Remaining Room ÷ Remaining Pay Periods Contribution Rate = (Per Paycheck × Pay Periods per Year) ÷ Annual Salary × 100
Result: Remaining room: $15,500 | Per paycheck: $968.75
With a $23,500 annual limit and $8,000 already contributed, $15,500 remains. With 16 bi-weekly pay periods left, you need to contribute $968.75 per paycheck to max out. This represents a contribution rate of roughly 29.7% of gross pay for the remaining period.
The IRS adjusts 401(k) contribution limits annually for inflation. For 2025, the base employee limit is $23,500. The catch-up contribution for those 50+ adds $7,500, bringing the total to $31,000. The SECURE 2.0 super catch-up for ages 60-63 raises this further to $34,750. These limits apply across all 401(k) plans if you have multiple employers.
To maximize your 401(k), calculate how much you need to contribute each paycheck to hit the annual limit. If you're starting mid-year or adjusting your rate, dividing remaining room by remaining pay periods gives you the exact amount. Some employers cap contribution rates at a percentage, so ensure your per-paycheck amount is achievable within plan rules.
If you plan to front-load contributions, verify whether your employer offers "true-up" matching. Without true-up, if you hit the $23,500 limit by October, your employer stops matching for November and December. True-up ensures your annual match is based on total contributions regardless of timing.
The employee deferral limit for 2025 is $23,500. If you are 50 or older, you can contribute an additional $7,500 (total $31,000). Under the SECURE 2.0 Act, those aged 60-63 get a "super catch-up" of $11,250 instead (total $34,750). Employer contributions are separate and don't count toward these limits.
If you exceed the annual limit, you must withdraw the excess contributions (plus earnings) by April 15 of the following year. Otherwise, you'll be taxed twice — once when contributed and again when withdrawn in retirement. Most payroll systems automatically stop deductions at the limit.
No. Employer matching contributions do not count toward the employee deferral limit of $23,500. However, there is a combined total limit (employee + employer) of $70,000 for 2025 ($77,500 with catch-up). This higher limit is rarely reached by most employees.
Front-loading (contributing heavily early in the year) gets your money invested sooner, which historically produces better returns. However, if your employer matches per-paycheck and doesn't offer a "true-up" at year-end, you could miss out on matching for months when you've already hit the limit. Check your plan's true-up policy before front-loading.
Starting in 2025, employees aged 60-63 can make an enhanced catch-up contribution of $11,250 (instead of the standard $7,500 catch-up). This brings their total limit to $34,750. The provision reverts to the standard catch-up at age 64. This provides a significant window to boost retirement savings.
Yes, you can contribute to both. The 401(k) limit ($23,500) and IRA limit ($7,000) are separate. However, if you have a 401(k) and earn above certain thresholds, your Traditional IRA contribution may not be tax-deductible. You can always contribute to a Roth IRA (subject to income limits) or do a backdoor Roth.