401(k) Paycheck Calculator 2026
See what a 401(k) contribution really costs per paycheck after the tax savings, how much your employer adds, and how much goes into your account each year.
| Your contribution | $138.46 |
| Income tax saved | $16.62 |
| Employer match | $69.23 |
| Into your 401(k) per year | $5,400 |
| Take-home per paycheck, without 401(k) | $1,938.08 |
| Take-home per paycheck, with 401(k) | $1,816.23 |
What each contribution level costs
$60,000 salary, single, Texas, paid every two weeks, employer match of 50% up to 6% of pay, 2026 rules.
| Contribution | You put in per paycheck | Take-home drops by | Employer match per year | Total saved per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0% | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0 | $0 |
| 3% | $69.23 | $60.92 | $900 | $2,700 |
| 5% | $115.38 | $101.54 | $1,500 | $4,500 |
| 6% | $138.46 | $121.85 | $1,800 | $5,400 |
| 8% | $184.62 | $162.46 | $1,800 | $6,600 |
| 10% | $230.77 | $203.08 | $1,800 | $7,800 |
| 15% | $346.15 | $304.62 | $1,800 | $10,800 |
Why your paycheck drops by less than you contribute
Traditional 401(k) contributions come out of your pay before federal income tax is worked out, so every dollar you save also lowers your tax. Your paycheck shrinks by your contribution minus that tax saving. Most states give the same break; Pennsylvania and Massachusetts tax 401(k) contributions, so the saving there is federal only.
2026 limits: $24,500 of your own contributions, plus $8,000 catch-up at 50 or older ($11,250 at 60 to 63). Source: IRS.
To see the effect on every line of your pay stub, use your take-home pay calculator.
Common questions
How much does a 401(k) contribution lower my paycheck?
Less than the amount you contribute, because traditional 401(k) money goes in before income tax. Putting 6% of a $60,000 salary into a 401(k) is $138.46 per biweekly paycheck, but take-home pay drops by only $121.85 in Texas and $113.54 in California.
What is the 401(k) limit for 2026?
You can contribute up to $24,500 in 2026. If you are 50 or older you can add a $8,000 catch-up contribution, and at ages 60 to 63 the catch-up is $11,250. Employer matching does not count toward your own limit.
Do 401(k) contributions reduce Social Security and Medicare tax?
No. Traditional 401(k) contributions lower federal income tax and, in most states, state income tax, but Social Security and Medicare are still taken from your full pay. Pennsylvania and Massachusetts also tax 401(k) contributions at the state level.
How much should I contribute to get the full employer match?
Contribute at least the percentage your employer matches up to. With a common match of 50% up to 6% of pay, contributing 6% of $60,000 brings in $1,800 a year from your employer. Contributing less leaves part of the match unclaimed.
What is the difference between a traditional and a Roth 401(k) in my paycheck?
Traditional contributions come out before income tax, so your paycheck shrinks by less than you contribute. Roth contributions come out after tax, so your paycheck shrinks by the full amount, but qualified withdrawals in retirement are tax-free. This calculator shows traditional contributions.