About the 457(b) Calculator
This 457(b) calculator projects how a governmental or tax-exempt deferred compensation plan grows until you retire. Enter your current balance, how much you and your employer put in each year, your age and planned retirement age, and an expected return. Every year the calculator checks your contributions against the 2026 limit of $24,500, adds the age-50 catch-up ($8,000) and the SECURE 2.0 super catch-up for ages 60–63 ($11,250) when you qualify, and compounds the balance. Age-based catch-ups are available only in governmental 457(b) plans, so set both catch-up fields to 0 if your plan is a non-governmental (tax-exempt employer) plan.
It is aimed at teachers, police officers, firefighters, state and municipal employees and hospital or nonprofit staff with access to a 457(b). Unlike a 401(k), employer contributions to a 457(b) count toward the same annual limit, so the calculator caps your combined contributions. Because the 457(b) limit is separate from the 401(k)/403(b) limit, many public employees can save in both.
A key advantage of governmental 457(b) plans is that withdrawals after you leave your employer are not subject to the 10% early-withdrawal penalty, even before age 59½ (money you rolled in from a 401(k), 403(b) or IRA is the exception). The special “last three years” 457 catch-up is not modeled because it cannot be combined with the age-based catch-up. Contributions are added at the end of each year with annual compounding.
With the default inputs, the projected 457(b) balance is $652,852.53. Change any value above to recalculate instantly.
How to use the 457(b) calculator
- 1Enter your current 457(b) balance.
- 2Enter what you and your employer contribute each year.
- 3Enter your current age and the age you plan to retire.
- 4Pick an expected average return for your investment mix.
- 5Review the projected balance and the year-by-year table.
Formula and method
Each year the previous balance grows by the expected return r and the year’s contribution is added at year end. The contribution is your amount C plus any employer amount E, capped at the 457(b) limit L plus the catch-up allowed for your age that year: $8,000 from age 50 and $11,250 at ages 60 through 63 under the 2026 rules.
Unlike 401(k) plans, employer contributions to a 457(b) count against the same annual limit, which is why they are added to your own contribution before the cap is applied. The limits are held at 2026 values for all future years, so the projection is conservative in dollar terms.
- Bₜ
- Balance at the end of year t
- C
- Your annual contribution
- E
- Employer annual contribution
- L
- Annual 457(b) limit
- r
- Expected annual return
Worked examples
Age 40, $15,000 a year until 60 at 6.5%
Twenty years of $15,000 contributions total $300,000. Together with the $20,000 starting balance growing at 6.5%, the account reaches about $652,850 by age 60 — enough for roughly $2,176 a month at a 4% withdrawal rate.
Maxing out from 52 to 62 with catch-ups
A $40,000 goal is above the limit every year. From 52 to 59 you can put in $32,500 ($24,500 + $8,000), and at 60 and 61 $35,750 with the super catch-up — $331,500 in total. With $100,000 already saved and 6% returns, the balance reaches about $614,160 at 62.
Frequently asked questions
What is the 457(b) contribution limit for 2026?+
The 2026 limit is $24,500. Governmental plan participants age 50 or older can add $8,000, or $11,250 at ages 60–63. Employer contributions count toward the same limit.
Can I contribute to a 457(b) and a 403(b) or 401(k)?+
Yes. The 457(b) limit is separate from the 401(k)/403(b) limit, so a public employee with both plans can defer up to $24,500 into each in 2026 — $49,000 before catch-ups.
Is there an early withdrawal penalty on a 457(b)?+
Distributions from governmental 457(b) plans are not subject to the 10% additional tax, even before 59½, except for amounts you rolled in from another type of plan or an IRA. Withdrawals are still taxed as income unless they are qualified Roth 457(b) distributions.
What is the 457(b) special catch-up?+
In the three years before the plan’s normal retirement age you may contribute the basic limit plus the part of earlier years’ limits you did not use, up to twice the annual limit ($49,000 in 2026). You cannot use it in the same year as the age-50 catch-up; you use whichever gives the larger amount.
What is the difference between governmental and non-governmental 457(b) plans?+
Governmental plans hold assets in trust for participants and allow rollovers. Non-governmental (tax-exempt organization) 457(b) plans are unfunded promises subject to the employer’s creditors, cannot be rolled into an IRA, and do not allow age-50 catch-ups.
Results are estimates for educational purposes and are not financial advice. Rates, fees and terms vary — confirm with your lender or a licensed advisor before making decisions.