Estimate how traditional 401(k) contributions change your take-home pay, federal tax, state tax, and per-paycheck cash flow.
Traditional 401(k) reduces income tax wages, not FICA wages.
State model note: Federal-only estimate. Choose a state to add a modeled state tax where available.
| 401(k) | Annual saved | Paycheck | Tax savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0% | $0 | $2,369 | $0 |
| 5% | $3,750 | $2,256 | $825 |
| 10% | $7,500 | $2,144 | $1,650 |
| 15% | $11,250 | $2,021 | $2,200 |
A traditional 401(k) contribution comes out before federal income tax. If you contribute $500 per month, your paycheck does not fall by the full $500 because part of the contribution is offset by lower tax withholding.
The calculator shows the difference between your paycheck before and after the contribution so you can choose a savings rate that is realistic.
No. It reduces take-home pay by less than the contribution because it also lowers federal income tax and usually state income tax.
Traditional 401(k) contributions generally reduce federal income tax wages, but not FICA wages, so Social Security and Medicare still apply.
Start with gross salary for the contribution percentage, then use take-home pay to decide whether the cash-flow impact fits your budget.
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