403b Calculator

Category: Retirement

- November 14, 2025

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Calculate how your 403(b) contributions can grow over time and estimate your retirement savings.

This calculator helps educators, healthcare workers, and non-profit employees plan for retirement through their 403(b) plans.

Personal Information

Current Age:

Planned Retirement Age:

Current Annual Salary:

Expected Annual Salary Increase (%):

403(b) Contributions

Contribution Type:

Contribution Percentage (%):

Current 403(b) Balance:

Annual Contribution Limit:

Include employer match

Employer Match Percentage (%):

Match Limit (%):

Investment Assumptions

Expected Annual Return (%):

Expected Inflation Rate (%):

Advanced Options

Current Marginal Tax Rate (%):

Expected Retirement Tax Rate (%):

Roth 403(b) (after-tax contributions)

Decimal Places:

403(b) Retirement Projection

Estimated 403(b) Balance at Retirement

$1,250,000

At age 65

Your Total Contributions

$180,000

Over 30 years

Employer Match Total

$90,000

3% match

Investment Growth

$980,000

From compound returns

Monthly Retirement Income

$5,208

Using 4% withdrawal rule

Account Balance Growth

Contribution Breakdown

Detailed Projection By Year

Year	Age	Annual Salary	Your Contribution	Employer Match	Investment Return	Year-End Balance

Calculation Explanation

About 403(b) Retirement Plans

A 403(b) is a tax-advantaged retirement plan available to employees of public schools, non-profit organisations, and certain ministers. Similar to 401(k) plans in the private sector, these plans help employees save for retirement through salary deferrals and often include employer contributions.

Key 403(b) Features

Pre-Tax Contributions: Traditional 403(b) contributions are made before taxes, reducing your current taxable income.
Roth Option: Some employers offer Roth 403(b) options, allowing for after-tax contributions with tax-free growth and withdrawals in retirement.
Contribution Limits: For 2023, the base contribution limit is $22,500, with an additional $7,500 catch-up contribution for those 50 and older.
15-Year Rule: Unique to 403(b) plans, employees with 15+ years of service may be eligible for additional catch-up contributions of up to $3,000 per year (lifetime limit of $15,000).
Employer Matching: Many employers offer matching contributions, effectively providing free money toward your retirement.

Tax Advantages

Traditional 403(b): Contributions reduce your current taxable income, but withdrawals in retirement are taxed as ordinary income.
Roth 403(b): Contributions are made with after-tax dollars, but qualified withdrawals in retirement are tax-free, including all investment gains.
Tax-Deferred Growth: Investments in either type of 403(b) grow tax-free until withdrawal, allowing your money to compound more efficiently.

Maximising Your 403(b)

Contribute enough to get your full employer match (it's free money!).
Increase contributions gradually, especially after pay raises or debt payoffs.
Consider the Roth option if you expect to be in a higher tax bracket in retirement.
Check if you qualify for additional catch-up contributions (age 50+ or 15-year rule).
Maintain appropriate asset allocation based on your time horizon and risk tolerance.

Understand Your 403(b) Retirement Savings

The 403(b) Calculator is a helpful tool designed for educators, healthcare workers, and non-profit employees. It lets you estimate how your contributions can grow over time. By inputting your details, like age and salary, you can see a clear picture of your retirement savings journey.

How It Works

Using the calculator is straightforward. You fill in your current age, planned retirement age, and annual salary. Then, you can choose how much you want to contribute to your 403(b) plan, either as a percentage of your salary or a fixed dollar amount. The tool calculates your potential savings based on these inputs.

Your Contribution Matters

Input your current contribution percentage or fixed amount.
Consider your employer's matching contribution for even more savings.
Adjust for any planned salary increases to see how that impacts your future balance.

Adjusting your contributions can significantly impact your retirement savings. The calculator quickly shows how your choices lead to different outcomes, giving you the power to plan wisely.

Investment-calculator/">investment growth Assumptions

The calculator also factors in expected returns on your investments. By entering your anticipated annual return rate, you can estimate how much your money could grow over time. Keeping in mind inflation rates is crucial, as they affect your overall purchasing power in the future.

Advanced Features for Better Planning

For those looking for a deeper insight, the tool offers advanced options. You can input your current and expected retirement tax rates. This helps you understand how much you might pay in taxes when withdrawing funds in retirement. It’s an important aspect to consider to keep your retirement funds as robust as possible.

Visualize Your Savings Growth

After entering your details, the calculator provides a visual breakdown of your projected savings. You'll see charts that display your account balance growth over time, total contributions, and the estimated investment growth. This makes it much easier to grasp how your savings will evolve leading up to retirement.

Learn About 403(b) Plans

Pre-tax contributions can lower your taxable income now.
Roth options allow after-tax contributions, making withdrawals tax-free in retirement.
Contribution limits vary based on age and length of service, providing opportunities for catch-up contributions.

Knowing the features of 403(b) plans can help you optimize your retirement savings. The calculator provides essential insights into these plans, giving you the information you need to make informed decisions.

Start Planning for Retirement Today

Using the 403(b) Calculator is a great first step in planning for your future. It empowers you to understand how your contributions, employer matches, and expected investment growth can shape your retirement savings. With this tool, you'll be better equipped to make decisions that lead to a comfortable and secure retirement.