403(b) Calculator

Enter annual salary and the employee contribution rate. The calculator estimates the employee’s annual contribution as salary multiplied by that percentage, subject to its employee contribution limit. Enter the employer contribution rate separately; the employer amount is calculated as a percentage of salary.

Your age and retirement age determine the number of years in the projection. Add the current account balance and expected annual return. The service-years field supports the 15-year rule input, while the catch-up switch estimates eligibility for age-based catch-up contributions. Compare contributions with the 403(b) Contribution Calculator and later withdrawals with the 403(b) Withdrawal Calculator.

At $65,000 salary, 10% employee contributions equal:

• $65,000 × 10% = $6,500 employee contribution per year.
• $65,000 × 5% = $3,250 employer contribution per year.
• $6,500 + $3,250 = $9,750 total annual contribution.

The balance grows annually at 7%, with the year’s contribution added after that year’s growth in the calculator’s recurrence. Over 30 years:

• $50,000 × 1.07^30 = approximately $380,613 growth of the starting balance.
• 1.07^30 = approximately 7.6123.
• (7.6123 − 1) ÷ 0.07 = approximately 94.4608, the accumulated-value factor for 30 annual contributions.
• $9,750 × 94.4608 = approximately $920,993 accumulated contributions.
• $380,613 + $920,993 = approximately $1,301,605 projected balance.

The rounded projection comprises the $50,000 starting balance, about $292,500 of contributions over 30 years, and roughly $959,105 of modeled investment growth. The calculator displays rounded results, so small differences can occur if you recompute using rounded intermediate factors.

For 2026, the employee elective deferral limit for 401(k), 403(b), and most 457(b) plans is $24,500. Participants age 50 or older may generally make a $8,000 catch-up contribution, subject to plan rules. For ages 60 through 63, the SECURE 2.0 super catch-up limit is $11,250 when applicable. The IRS publishes current retirement plan contribution limits.

Some 403(b) participants with at least 15 years of service at an eligible employer may qualify for an additional lifetime catch-up, generally up to $3,000 per year within statutory limits. Eligibility depends on employer type, years of service, prior deferrals, and plan administration. The calculator uses a simplified service-years input and should not be treated as an eligibility determination. The IRS details the 403(b) contribution rules.

The calculator’s 2026 employee-limit logic caps the regular employee contribution at $24,500, then includes the age catch-up and 15-year extra in its year-by-year projection when the inputs qualify. Employer contributions are calculated separately in this model. Overall annual additions can be subject to a separate limit; check your plan and IRS rules before setting contributions. Compare a workplace plan with a 401(k) Calculator or 401(k) Future Value Calculator.

Employee contribution = annual salary × employee contribution rate

Employer contribution = annual salary × employer contribution rate

Balance after each year = prior balance × (1 + annual return) + annual employee and employer contributions

Projected balance = starting balance × (1 + return)^years + annual contribution × [((1 + return)^years − 1) ÷ return]

The last formula summarizes a fixed annual contribution stream. The calculator applies the recurrence year by year, so catch-up eligibility or the 15-year rule can change annual contributions during the projection. The formula assumes a positive return; if return is zero, contributions are simply added to the starting balance.

Changing the savings rate can have a larger long-term effect than a small change in current balance because higher deposits are invested repeatedly and may earn returns. The table below uses the default $65,000 salary and 5% employer contribution. It shows annual deposits, not projected account balances.

Consider whether the employer contribution depends on your own contribution. This calculator treats the employer rate as a salary percentage and does not model a match formula with a match cap. For contribution scenarios and paycheck impact, use the 403(b) Contribution Calculator or compare a Roth 403(b) Calculator. A 403(b) Loan Calculator can help assess the cost of borrowing from the plan.

Is a 403(b) only for teachers?

No. Public school employees are common participants, but eligible employees of certain nonprofits, churches, and public-sector organizations may also have 403(b) plans. Your employer determines plan availability and the options offered.

Does an employer contribution count toward my employee deferral limit?

Employer contributions generally are treated separately from your salary deferrals, but an overall annual additions limit may apply. The plan’s matching formula and limits matter. Review your plan documents and the IRS 403(b) plan rules.

Does 15 years at any employer qualify me for the special catch-up?

No. The 15-year rule is limited to eligible 403(b) employers and has additional contribution-history requirements. The calculator’s years-of-service field does not verify those conditions. Ask your plan administrator to calculate your available lifetime catch-up.

Should I contribute to a traditional or Roth 403(b)?

Traditional contributions generally reduce current taxable income, while Roth contributions are made after tax and can provide tax-free qualified withdrawals. The better fit depends partly on current and future tax rates, cash flow, and plan features. Compare the Roth 403(b) Calculator and review Roth versus traditional retirement accounts.

Does the projection guarantee a $1.3 million balance?

No. It applies a fixed 7% annual return and fixed salary and contribution rates. Markets fluctuate, contributions can change, and fees reduce returns. Use the projection to compare plans, not as a guaranteed account value.

What happens to the money when I retire?

A 403(b) may offer several distribution or rollover choices, subject to plan terms and tax rules. Model withdrawals with the 403(b) Withdrawal Calculator and consider how withdrawals fit alongside pension or Social Security income.

Check the match formula, plan fees, investment choices, and the contribution limit that applies to your circumstances. Increase the contribution rate in steps you can sustain, then rerun the projection at lower and higher return assumptions. For other long-term planning, compare the FIRE Calculator and Retirement Annuity Calculator.

As retirement approaches, estimate how withdrawals affect taxes and account longevity. See required minimum distributions explained and use the 401(k) Compound Interest Calculator to compare growth assumptions. A projection is most useful when you update it as salary, savings, employer benefits, and retirement timing change.