401k COMPOUNDING GROWTH

— Start from day one. Stay consistent. Time does the heavy lifting.

Your Situation

Current Age

Starting Balance ($)

Existing 401k / rollover balance

Retirement Age

Contributions

Your Annual Contribution ($)

Employer Match ($)

Fixed annual match

Contribution Increase ($/yr)

Step-up each year (raise, habit)

Growth & Costs

Expected Gross Return (%)

Fund Expense Ratio (%)

Index fund typical: 0.03–0.20%

Inflation Rate (%)

Used to show real (today's $) values

Delay Comparison

What if you waited?

Delay 1 (yrs)

Delay 2 (yrs)

Withdrawal Preview

Safe Withdrawal Rate (%)

4% rule (Bengen). Adjust to taste.

HOME

Balance at Age 65

—

— in today's $

You Contributed

—

— of final balance

Compounding Added

—

— of final balance

Monthly Income (SWR)

—

at 4.0% withdrawal rate

Cost of Waiting

—

vs. starting 5 yrs later

Net return (after fees): —

Years of compounding: —

2026 IRS limit (your age): —

Catch-up eligible (50+): —

SECURE 2.0 super catch-up (60–63): —

📈 Balance Growth — Start Now vs. Waiting

🧱 Your Money vs. Compounding (Stacked)

Age	Contrib (capped)	Employer Match	Growth (net)	End Balance	Real Value	Cumul. Contrib	Cumul. Growth	Delay 5yr Balance	Delay 10yr Balance