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403(b) Calculator — Project Your Retirement Savings

Calculate 403(b) retirement savings with employer match, catch-up contributions, fee drag, and Traditional vs Roth after-tax comparison.

$300/month

e.g. 100 = dollar-for-dollar; 50 = 50 cents per $1

e.g. 3 = match up to 3% of salary

Typical index fund: 0.03–0.20%; annuity: 1–2%

Used to estimate Traditional 403(b) after-tax withdrawals

Projected Balance at Age 65

$683,541

$2,278/month income (4% rule, before tax)

Traditional 403(b)

$533,162

After 22% tax on withdrawal

$1,777/month

Roth 403(b)

$683,541

Tax-free at qualified withdrawal

$2,278/month

Balance Breakdown

Your contributions$146,045 (21.4%)
Employer match$73,023 (10.7%)
Investment growth$454,473 (66.5%)
Years to retirement: 30
Net return rate: 6.50%

How to Use This Calculator

  1. 1

    Enter your age and retirement target

    Enter your current age and target retirement age. The calculator automatically applies age-based catch-up limits — age 50-59 and 64+ adds $8,000 catch-up; age 60-63 adds the SECURE 2.0 super catch-up of $11,250 to the base $24,500 limit.

  2. 2

    Enter salary and contribution percentage

    Enter your current annual salary and the percentage you contribute to your 403(b). A monthly contribution estimate appears below the field. Most financial advisors recommend contributing at least enough to capture the full employer match.

  3. 3

    Enter employer match terms

    Enter your employer's match rate (e.g., 100 = dollar-for-dollar) and the salary percentage cap (e.g., 3 = match up to 3% of salary). If your employer offers 100% match up to 3%, entering 100 and 3 correctly models this common structure.

  4. 4

    Set return, fee, and salary growth

    Enter expected annual return (7% is a common long-term estimate for a diversified portfolio), investment fee/expense ratio (check your fund prospectus — index funds are often 0.03-0.20%; annuities 1-2%), and annual salary growth rate.

  5. 5

    Compare Traditional vs Roth after-tax results

    Enter your expected tax rate in retirement. The results show your pre-tax balance alongside Traditional (after tax) and Roth (tax-free) side-by-side. Roth contributions grow identically but withdrawals are tax-free at retirement.

What Each Value Means

Employer Match ($ per year)
Contributions your employer adds to your 403(b) on your behalf, typically tied to your own contributions. A common structure: employer matches 100% of your contributions up to 3% of your salary. Not contributing at least 3% means leaving part of your compensation on the table. Employer match is always pre-tax (Traditional), regardless of whether your own contributions are Roth.
Investment Fee / Expense Ratio (% per year)
Annual percentage of your account balance charged by the investment funds you hold. A 1% fee on a $200,000 balance costs $2,000 per year — and that $2,000 compounds against you over time. Index funds typically charge 0.03–0.20%. Variable annuities sold in 403(b) plans often charge 1–2%. Over a 30-year career, a 1% fee difference can reduce your final balance by 20–25%.
4% Rule Monthly Income ($/month)
A widely-cited retirement income guideline: withdraw 4% of your portfolio balance per year, adjusted for inflation, and the portfolio historically lasted 30+ years (based on historical US stock and bond returns). Monthly income = balance × 0.04 / 12. This is a planning estimate, not a guarantee — actual results depend on market performance and withdrawal timing.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a 403(b) and who qualifies?
A 403(b) is a tax-advantaged retirement plan available to employees of public schools, universities, nonprofits, hospitals, and some government entities. It works like a 401(k) — contributions are made pre-tax (traditional) or after-tax (Roth), invested in mutual funds or annuities, and grow tax-deferred. Teachers, nurses, university staff, and social workers are among the most common 403(b) participants.
What are the 403(b) contribution limits for 2026?
For 2026, the employee elective deferral limit is $24,500. Employees age 50–59 and 64+ can contribute an additional $8,000 catch-up for a total of $32,500. Employees age 60–63 qualify for the SECURE 2.0 super catch-up of $11,250, for a total of $35,750. The combined employee + employer contribution limit is $72,000. If you also have a 401(k), the $24,500 base limit is shared across both plans.
How does a 403(b) differ from a 401(k)?
403(b) and 401(k) plans have the same contribution limits and general tax treatment. The key differences are: 403(b) is available only to nonprofit, school, hospital, and government employers — not for-profit companies; 403(b) investment options are limited to mutual funds and annuities by law, while 401(k) can include stocks and ETFs; 403(b) plans may qualify for a unique 15-year service catch-up ($3,000/yr, $15,000 lifetime) if the employer allows it; many 403(b) plans are exempt from ERISA, reducing some participant protections.
Should I choose a Traditional or Roth 403(b)?
If you expect to be in a higher tax bracket in retirement than today — choose Roth. Pay taxes now at the lower rate. If you expect to be in a lower bracket in retirement — choose Traditional. Defer taxes now and pay at the lower rate later. As a general rule: younger employees early in their careers (lower current income) often benefit from Roth; mid-career to near-retirement employees at peak earnings often benefit from Traditional. Many plans allow splitting contributions between both.
What happens to my 403(b) if I leave my job?
You can leave the account with your former employer (if the balance exceeds $5,000), roll it over to a new employer's 403(b) or 401(k), roll it to an IRA (Traditional or Roth), or take a distribution (subject to income tax plus 10% early withdrawal penalty if under age 59½). Rolling to an IRA gives the most investment flexibility. Rolling to a new employer plan preserves access to that plan's loans and RMD rules.