403b Calculator
Project a workplace 403(b) nest egg from today’s balance, your annual deferral, any employer contribution, years to grow, and an assumed return — a contribution-and-growth cousin to 401(k) planning tools. Click any i for detail.
403(b) growth inputs
Current balance ($)
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Current balance
What is in the 403(b) today before new deferrals. |
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Annual employee contribution ($)
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Employee contribution
Your elective deferral for a typical year (before catch-up rules). |
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Annual employer contribution ($)
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Employer contribution
Match or nonelective dollars you expect each year. Enter 0 if none. |
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Years to grow
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Years
Years until you expect to stop this contribution pattern (often years to retirement). |
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Expected return (%)
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Expected return
Average annual investment return assumption after fees you want to model. |
How to use this calculator
- Enter today’s 403(b) balance.
- Add your planned annual employee deferral and any employer dollars.
- Set years and expected return.
- Read the projected nest egg and the contribution vs growth split.
Results explained
The headline is a future balance sketch: starting balance plus monthly-equivalent employee and employer contributions growing at your assumed return. It does not subtract taxes on withdrawal or model hardship / loan rules.
Quick reference: 403(b) nest egg
Transparent planning assumptions.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Monthly add | (Employee + employer annual) ÷ 12 |
| Growth | Balance compounds monthly from assumed annual return |
| Not modeled | IRS limits, vesting cliffs, loans, RMDs, fees beyond your return assumption |
Compare Roth vs traditional deferral tax treatment on the Roth vs traditional 401(k) calculator.
How the estimate is built
Each month: balance grows by the equivalent monthly rate from your return %, then employee+employer monthly add is applied. Repeat for years × 12 months.
Example scenario
$45,000 balance, $10,000 employee + $3,000 employer per year, 6% return for 20 years projects roughly mid-six-figures — change the return ±1% to see how sensitive the nest egg is.
FAQ
Is a 403(b) the same as a 401(k)?
Both are workplace retirement plans with deferrals and growth, but 403(b) plans are common at schools, nonprofits, and some hospitals. Contribution limits and investment menus differ by plan.
Does this include the employer match?
Yes — enter an annual employer contribution (match or nonelective) separately from your employee deferral.
Are IRS limits modeled?
No. Elective deferral and overall annual addition limits change by year — confirm with your plan and a tax professional.
Traditional vs Roth 403(b)?
This page sketches pre-tax-style nest-egg growth. For Roth vs traditional after-tax compare jobs, use the Roth vs traditional 401(k) calculator as a cousin tool.