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403(b) Savings Calculator

Project your retirement savings and understand how contributions, employer matching, and investment returns work together to build your future.

Projected Balance at Age 65$0
Years to Retirement0
Investment Earnings$0

👤 Personal Information

years
years
$
$

💰 Contribution Details

%
10% of salary = $625/month
% match
50% of your contribution up to 6% = $188/month
% of salary employer will match up to
%

📈 Growth & Fee Assumptions

%
Annual raise assumption
%
Expense ratio + advisory fees
%
Fee Impact: $0 over 30 years

The area between the lines represents your net investment earnings after fees.

Final Balance
$0
at age 65
Your Contributions
$0
0% of total
Employer Contributions
$0
0% of total
Investment Earnings
$0
0% of total
Total Fees Paid
$0
Cost of investing

Balance Composition

Starting Balance
Your Contributions
Employer Contributions
Net Earnings (after fees)

Important Disclosure: This calculator is provided for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. We strongly recommend that you seek the advice of a qualified financial services professional before making any investment decisions. The results presented are hypothetical and may not reflect the actual growth of your investments. This model is provided as a rough approximation of future financial performance that you should not rely upon for making financial decisions. All examples are hypothetical and are for illustrative purposes only. Future rates of return cannot be predicted with certainty, and investments that pay higher rates of return are generally subject to higher risk and volatility, including the potential loss of principal. It is not possible to invest directly in an index. Together Forward Capital and its affiliates are not responsible for the consequences of any decisions or actions taken in reliance upon or as a result of the information provided by this tool.

📖 Calculator Definitions

Current Age
Your current age in years. This is the starting point for calculating the number of years until retirement.
Retirement Age
The age at which you plan to retire. This calculator assumes that the year you retire, you do not make any contributions to your 403(b). So if you retire at age 65, your last contribution occurs when you are actually 64.
Annual Salary
Your annual salary from your employer before taxes and other benefit deductions. Since your contribution and any employer match are based on the salary paid to you by your employer, do not include any income you may receive from sources other than your employer.
Current 403(b) Balance
The starting balance or current amount you have invested or saved in your 403(b) account. This should be your total vested balance.
Your Contribution
The percentage of your salary or dollar amount you contribute to your 403(b) plan each pay period. This calculator allows you to enter either a percentage of salary or a monthly dollar amount. Contributions are subject to annual IRS limits.
Employer Match Rate
The percentage of your contribution that your employer matches. For example, a 50% match means your employer contributes $0.50 for every $1.00 you contribute, up to the maximum match limit. Not all 403(b) plans offer employer matching contributions.
Maximum Match (% of Salary)
The maximum percentage of your salary that your employer will match. For example, if your employer offers a 50% match up to 6% of salary, and you contribute 10%, the employer only matches on the first 6% of your salary contribution.
Expected Annual Return
The annual rate of return you expect to earn on your investments before fees. This calculator compounds returns monthly. The actual rate of return is largely dependent on the types of investments you select and market conditions. The S&P 500® averaged approximately 10% annually from 1970-2024, including reinvested dividends, though past performance does not guarantee future results. Investments that pay higher rates of return are generally subject to higher risk and volatility, including potential loss of principal.
Expected Salary Increase
The annual percentage you expect your salary to increase due to raises, promotions, or cost-of-living adjustments. This calculator applies salary increases at the beginning of each year and assumes your salary will continue to increase at this rate until retirement.
Annual Investment Fee
The total annual fees you pay on your 403(b) investments, including expense ratios, administrative fees, and any advisory fees. This is expressed as a percentage of your account balance. Typical 403(b) fees range from 0.25% to over 2% depending on the investment options available in your plan.
2025 Contribution Limits
For 2025, the IRS allows employee contributions up to $23,500. If you are age 50-59 or 64+, you may make additional "catch-up" contributions of $7,500 (total $31,000). A new SECURE 2.0 provision allows those ages 60-63 to contribute an additional $11,250 catch-up (total $34,750). Employer contributions do not count toward the employee contribution limit but are subject to a combined limit of $70,000 (or 100% of compensation, if less).

What is a 403(b) Plan?

A 403(b) plan is a tax-advantaged retirement savings plan available to employees of public schools, certain nonprofits, and religious organizations (501(c)(3) organizations). Similar to a 401(k), contributions are typically made pre-tax, reducing your current taxable income while building retirement savings. Earnings grow tax-deferred until withdrawal.

Maximizing Employer Match

Many employers offer matching contributions—essentially free money for your retirement. Understanding your employer's matching formula and contributing enough to receive the full match is one of the most impactful financial decisions you can make. Always try to contribute at least enough to capture the full employer match.

The Power of Compound Growth

Time is your greatest asset when saving for retirement. Starting early allows compound growth to work in your favor, potentially turning modest monthly contributions into substantial retirement savings over decades. Even small increases in your contribution rate can make a significant difference over time.

Need Help Planning Your Organization's Retirement Benefits?

Together Forward Capital partners with nonprofits and foundations to create comprehensive investment strategies, including retirement plan optimization.

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