403(b) Calculator

Calculate 403(b) retirement savings for nonprofit and education employees.

By Konstantin Iakovlev · Updated September 2026 · Source: IRS — 2026 limits for 401(k), 403(b), 457 plans and IRAs

$
%
%
%
$
%

Projected 403(b) Balance

$843,237.81

Investment Growth

$581,987.81

Annual Contributions

Your Contribution$6,500.00
Employer Match$1,950.00
Total Annual$8,450.00

Use the 403(b) Calculator above to calculate your results. Enter your values and see instant results — all calculations run in your browser.

Disclaimer: This calculator is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, financial, or legal advice. Results are estimates based on the information you provide and current rates. Always consult a qualified tax professional or financial advisor for advice specific to your situation.

How It Works

Employees at non-profits and schools can use this tool to project how their 403(b) balance might grow over time. Those projections are easier to read against the 2026 limits: elective deferrals are capped at $24,500, and workers who are 50 or older can add a catch-up contribution of $8,000 on top of that, which together set the ceiling on how much you can put away each year.

The projection works one year at a time. Your yearly contribution is your salary times your contribution percentage, capped at the $24,500 limit (the calculator does not add the age-50 catch-up). The employer match is the match percentage applied to your contribution, counting your contribution only up to the "match up to" share of salary. Each year the two amounts are added to the balance at the start of the year and the total then grows by your expected return, so the account compounds once a year, starting from any balance you already have.

Any projected return here is hypothetical, and real investment performance can swing well above or below it. Inflation quietly eats into what your future balance will actually buy, so it is worth setting savings targets with that erosion in mind. Employer matching also deserves attention, since those contributions can meaningfully enlarge the balance you end up with at retirement.

Example: Sarah's 403(b) Growth

  1. 1 Sarah, a 35-year-old teacher earning $60,000, contributes 20% of her salary ($12,000 a year, or $1,000 a month) to her 403(b), starting from a $0 balance. Her employer matches 50% of her contributions up to 6% of salary. She assumes a 7% annual return and plans to retire at 65, 30 years away.
  2. 2 Employer match: her contribution counts only up to 6% of salary, $60,000 × 6% = $3,600, and the employer adds 50% of that, $1,800 a year ($150 a month). Total going in: $12,000 + $1,800 = $13,800 a year, or $414,000 over 30 years.
  3. 3 Growth: each year's $13,800 is added at the start of the year and the balance grows 7%. After year 1: $13,800 × 1.07 = $14,766. After year 2: ($14,766 + $13,800) × 1.07 = $30,565.62. After 30 years the calculator shows about $1,394,808, of which about $980,808 is investment growth.
  4. 4 Her own contributions alone would grow to about $1,212,876, so the $1,800-a-year match adds roughly $181,931 by age 65. The projection assumes a steady 7% every year; real returns will vary.

Source: IRS — 2026 limits for 401(k), 403(b), 457 plans and IRAs · Last updated: September 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the 403(b) contribution limit for 2026?
The employee contribution limit is $24,500 for 2026. The catch-up contribution for ages 50+ is $8,000, and the new super catch-up for ages 60-63 is $11,250. The total combined employer/employee limit is $72,000.
What is the difference between a 403(b) and a 401(k)?
Both have the same contribution limits and tax treatment. The 403(b) is for public schools, nonprofits, and religious organizations. Some 403(b) plans offer annuity options not available in 401(k) plans, and 403(b) plans with only annuity options may have fewer regulatory requirements.
Can I have both a 403(b) and an IRA?
Yes. You can contribute to both a 403(b) and a Traditional or Roth IRA. However, your Traditional IRA deduction may be reduced or eliminated if your income exceeds certain thresholds since you are covered by an employer plan.

You might also need

401(k) Calculator 2026 — Retirement Savings & Employer Match

Calculate your 401(k) balance at retirement with employer match and growth projections. Compare Roth vs Traditional. Based on 2026 IRS contribution limits.

Roth IRA Calculator 2026 — Growth, Limits & Tax-Free Income

Calculate Roth IRA growth projections and tax-free withdrawals. Compare to Traditional IRA side by side. Free, instant results with 2026 contribution limits.

Roth Conversion Calculator 2026 — Tax Impact & Break-Even

Calculate the tax impact of converting a Traditional IRA to Roth. See your break-even year and multi-year projections. Free, instant results for 2026 rates.