A 403(b) is the 401(k)-style plan for public schools, hospitals and non-profits. For 2026 you can defer up to $24,500, plus an $8,000 catch-up at age 50+ ($11,250 at ages 60–63). Long-serving employees may also have a special 15-year catch-up.
How to use the 403(b) Calculator
- Annual salary
- Your contribution
- Employer match
- Employer match limit (% of salary)
- Current age
- Retirement age
- Current 403(b) balance
- Expected annual return
- Annual salary increase
Results update as you type, and every field accepts the units shown in its menu.
How it works
Enter your annual salary, contribution rate, employer match, current age, retirement age, current balance, expected return and yearly salary increase.
Tips
- Use your real spending from bank statements rather than guesses.
- Automate savings so they happen before you spend.
- Revisit your plan once a year or after any big life change.
- Keep an emergency fund before investing for long-term goals.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Underestimating irregular expenses such as car repairs, gifts and annual bills.
- Ignoring inflation for long-term goals.
- Taking on high-interest debt to fund wants.
Inputs explained
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Annual salary | Amount in your currency |
| Your contribution | In % |
| Employer match | In % |
| Employer match limit (% of salary) | In % |
| Current age | A number |
| Retirement age | A number |
| Current 403(b) balance | Amount in your currency |
| Expected annual return | In % |
| Annual salary increase | In % |
What each result means
- Years to retirement = max([Retirement age] – [Current age], 0)
- Your contribution this year = min([Annual salary]×[Your contribution]÷100, [2026 contribution limit for your age])
- Employer match this year = [Annual salary]×min([Your contribution], [Employer match limit (% of salary)])÷100×[Employer match]÷100
- Balance at retirement = [Current 403(b) balance]×(1 + [Expected annual return]÷100)^[Years to retirement] + gfv([Expected annual return]÷100, [Years to retirement], [Your contribution this year] + [Employer match this year], [Annual salary increase]÷100, 0)
- Investment growth = [Balance at retirement] – [Current 403(b) balance] – [Your total contributions] – [Employer’s total contributions]
- Yearly income at a 4% withdrawal rate = [Balance at retirement]×0.04
Example values
How the main result changes when Annual salary changes and everything else stays at the example values above:
| Annual salary | Balance at retirement |
|---|---|
| 32,500 | 767,898.91 |
| 48,750 | 999,603.27 |
| 65,000 | 1,231,307.62 |
| 81,250 | 1,463,011.98 |
| 97,500 | 1,694,716.33 |
| 130,000 | 2,158,125.05 |
Formula
Your yearly contribution = salary × contribution % (up to the IRS limit)Employer match = salary × min(contribution %, match limit %) × match %Balance at retirement = balance × (1 + r)^n + growing annuity of contributions, FV = C × ((1 + r)^n − (1 + g)^n) ÷ (r − g)Worked example
Inputs — Annual salary: $65,000; Your contribution: 8 %; Employer match: 50 %; Employer match limit (% of salary): 6 %; Current age: 35; Retirement age: 65; Current 403(b) balance: $40,000; Expected annual return: 7 %; Annual salary increase: 3 %.
Results — Years to retirement = 30; 2026 contribution limit for your age = $24,500.00; Your contribution this year = $5,200.00; Employer match this year = $1,950.00; Balance at retirement = $1,231,307.62; Your total contributions = $247,392.16; Employer's total contributions = $92,772.06; Investment growth = $851,143.40; Yearly income at a 4% withdrawal rate = $49,252.30.
Frequently asked questions
What is the 403(b) limit for 2026?
$24,500, plus $8,000 catch-up at 50+ or $11,250 at ages 60–63.
What is the difference between a 403(b) and 401(k)?
403(b)s are for non-profits and public schools; the rules and limits are almost the same.
Should I contribute enough to get the full match?
Yes – the match is an instant return on your money.
What formula does the 403(b) Calculator use?
Your yearly contribution = salary × contribution % (up to the IRS limit).