403(b) Calculator United States
This 403b calculator projects your 403(b) for 2026 from balance, annual contributions and employer match, with the $24,500 elective-deferral limit built in.
What it does
The 403(b) Calculator projects the future value of a 403(b) retirement plan — the tax-advantaged account used by public-school teachers, college staff and nonprofit employees — from your current balance, your annual contribution, any employer contribution and an expected rate of return.
Data sources & parameters
The figures below drive this calculator. We keep them aligned with the latest official guidance, and each result recalculates automatically whenever a value changes.
| Parameter | Value | Source | Last updated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elective deferral limit (IRC 402(g)(1)); the same dollar amount applies by statute to 403(b) deferrals and to 457(b) deferrals under IRC 457(e)(15) | 24,500 | irs.gov | Effective 2026-01-01 |
| Catch-up contribution limit for ages 50 and over, applicable employer plans other than SIMPLE (IRC 414(v)(2)(B)(i)) | 8,000 | irs.gov | Effective 2026-01-01 |
| Catch-up contribution limit for ages 60 to 63, applicable employer plans other than SIMPLE (IRC 414(v)(2)(E)(i)) | 11,250 | irs.gov | Effective 2026-01-01Verified 2026-09-06 against the IRS 2026 retirement limits release: the ages 60-63 catch-up remains $11,250 instead of $8,000. |
| Catch-up age bands: the standard catch-up opens at age 50 (IRC 414(v)(2)(B)) and the higher SECURE 2.0 catch-up applies for ages 60 to 63 (IRC 414(v)(2)(E)) | Rate schedule | irs.gov | Effective 2026-01-01Seeded from the IRS catch-up rules: age 50 for the standard catch-up, ages 60-63 for the higher SECURE 2.0 catch-up; previously hardcoded in catch-up-contribution-us and 401k-calculator-us. Values unchanged. |
We always strive to use the latest data for every variable so our results and reports are as accurate as possible. Even so, errors are possible — you should not rely on this tool or its report alone, and we accept no liability for any decision made based on it.
The formula
Future value = starting balance grown at the return, plus the annuity value of every yearly contribution; growth = future value − total contributed
How it works
Each year your contribution plus any employer contribution is added to the account and the whole balance grows at your expected annual return, compounding once a year until retirement.
Where it is used
- Projecting a teacher or nonprofit 403(b) to retirement
- Seeing how much of the balance is growth versus contributions
- Testing how a higher contribution or return changes the outcome
Worked example
Starting with $20,000.00 and adding $10,000.00 a year plus a $3,000.00 employer contribution at 6% for 25 years grows to …, of which … is investment growth on … contributed.
What the 403(b) calculator does
A 403(b) is the workplace retirement plan for people who work in public education and the nonprofit sector: teachers, professors, school administrators, nurses, and staff at charities and religious organizations. It works much like a 401(k). You contribute part of your salary before tax, an employer may add money, and the balance grows tax-deferred until you draw on it in retirement. This 403(b) calculator projects what your account could be worth at retirement from your current balance, your yearly contribution, any employer contribution and the return you expect.
How the projection works
The calculator compounds once a year. Each year your contribution plus any employer contribution is added to the account, and the whole balance then grows by your expected rate of return. Repeating that until retirement gives the projected balance. In formula terms it is the future value of your starting lump sum plus the future value of the yearly contributions treated as an annuity. At a zero return the projection is simple addition: your balance plus every dollar you and your employer put in.
What the results tell you
The calculator returns three numbers. The projected balance is what the account is worth at the end of the horizon. Total contributed is the money that went in: your starting balance plus every yearly contribution from you and your employer. Investment growth is the difference between the two, the part of the balance that compounding produced. Over a long horizon the growth figure often ends up larger than everything you contributed.
The 2026 contribution limit
For 2026 the IRS elective-deferral limit for a 403(b) is $24,500 for employees under age 50, the most you can defer from your own salary in a year. Savers aged 50 and over can add a catch-up amount, and some employees with 15 or more years of service at the same eligible employer may qualify for a further catch-up. Employer contributions are separate and do not count against the employee limit. The calculator does not cap your entry, so if you model a contribution above the limit, check the current IRS figure, because salary reduction alone cannot fund the excess.
A worked example
Suppose a teacher has $20,000 in a 403(b) today and contributes $10,000 a year, with the employer adding $3,000 a year, and expects a 6 percent annual return over the 25 years to retirement. The starting $20,000 grows to about $85,800 on its own. The $13,000 of combined yearly contributions, compounded as an annuity at 6 percent, adds roughly $713,000, for a projected balance of about $799,000. Of that, $345,000 is money contributed (the $20,000 starting balance plus $13,000 a year for 25 years), and the rest is investment growth. Lowering the return to 4 percent or shortening the horizon shows how much the result depends on both assumptions.
Getting the most from your plan
If your employer offers a match or non-elective contribution, contributing at least enough to capture all of it is usually the best return available, because the employer adds that money at no cost to you. After that, the inputs with the most effect over a career are how much you contribute and how many years the money stays invested. A dollar added in your twenties compounds for decades longer than one added in your fifties, so raising your contribution early usually moves the projected balance more than a slightly higher return later.
Assumptions and limitations
This is a planning estimate, not a guarantee. It assumes a fixed contribution and a constant annual return, with contributions added once a year and the whole balance compounding annually. Real returns vary from year to year and can be negative. It does not model inflation, fees, salary growth, catch-up contributions, taxes on withdrawal, or required minimum distributions. The 2026 elective-deferral limit is stored as a parameter and reviewed each year against IRS guidance. For decisions about your own plan, check the current limits and speak to a qualified financial professional.
About This 403b Calculator
Use this 403b calculator to get an instant, accurate estimate. The figures follow official IRS guidance and every rate and threshold is kept up to date for 2026. Adjust the inputs above to match your situation, or browse all our calculators to plan your next step.
Tax year 2026
Frequently asked questions
What is the 403(b) contribution limit for 2026?
Who can use a 403(b) plan?
How is a 403(b) different from a 401(k)?
Does the employer contribution count toward my limit?
What rate of return should I assume?
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