403(b) Calculator (with Employer Match)
Estimate your 403(b) balance at retirement, with the 2026 contribution limits.
What a 403(b) is
A 403(b) is a retirement savings plan for employees of public schools, colleges and universities, hospitals, churches and other tax-exempt organisations. It works like a 401(k): you choose a percentage of your pay to contribute, your employer may add money, and the account grows until you retire. Contributions can be pre-tax (a traditional 403(b)), which lowers your taxable income now, or Roth (after-tax), which allows tax-free withdrawals in retirement if the rules are met.
2026 contribution limits
| Type | Limit |
|---|---|
| Employee contributions (shared with any 401(k) or TSP) | $24,500 |
| Catch-up, age 50 and over | $8,000 extra |
| Catch-up, ages 60 to 63 | $11,250 extra (instead of the $8,000) |
| Total employee plus employer contributions | $72,000, or 100% of pay if lower |
Some long-serving employees of certain organisations can also use the “15-year rule” to contribute up to $3,000 a year more, with a lifetime limit of $15,000.
Worked example
A 35-year-old earning $70,000 contributes 8% ($5,600) and has a 50% employer match on the first 6% ($2,100), so $7,700 goes in during the first year. With $30,000 already saved, 3% yearly raises and a 6% return, the balance at 65 is about $1,023,470. In today’s dollars with 2.5% inflation, that is about $487,932.
How the calculator works
- Your contribution is a percentage of salary, capped at the limit you select.
- Employer money = salary × match rate × the lower of your contribution and the match limit. Many 403(b) plans offer no match, so set the rate to 0 if yours does not.
- Contributions rise with your raises, and the balance grows at the return you enter. Returns are not guaranteed.
For a 401(k) plan, use the 401(k) calculator. For the overall picture, try the retirement calculator. This is an estimate for planning, not financial or tax advice.
Frequently asked questions
What is a 403(b)?
A retirement savings plan for employees of public schools, universities, hospitals and nonprofits, similar to a 401(k).
What is the 403(b) contribution limit for 2026?
$24,500, plus an $8,000 catch-up if you are 50 or over, or $11,250 at ages 60 to 63. The limit is shared with any 401(k) you have.
Do employers match 403(b) contributions?
Some do and many do not. Check your plan, and set the match rate to 0 if there is none.
What is the difference between a 403(b) and a 401(k)?
They are very similar. 403(b) plans are for schools and nonprofits, and often have fewer investment choices, such as annuities and mutual funds.
Can I have a 403(b) and a 457(b)?
Yes. The 457(b) has its own separate limit, so you can contribute the maximum to both.
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