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403(b) Calculator
A 403(b) is the tax-deferred retirement plan offered to teachers and school employees. In 2026 you can contribute up to $24,500 ($32,500 with the age 50-59 catch-up, or $35,750 with the SECURE 2.0 super catch-up at ages 60-63). Enter your numbers to project what your 403(b) could be worth at retirement.
Enter your numbers. Contributions and any employer match compound each year at your assumed rate of return.
Many districts cap contributions per paycheck. The 2026 employee limit is $24,500 ($32,500 or $35,750 with catch-up). Returns are not guaranteed.
Projected 403(b) at retirement
Updates as you type.
Educational estimate only, not financial advice. Assumes level annual contributions compounded yearly; real results vary with markets, fees, and timing.
How a 403(b) grows
Your 403(b) balance is driven by three forces: the money already in the account compounding over time, the contributions you keep adding from each paycheck, and any match your district contributes. Small differences in your rate of return and your fees compound into large differences over a 20- or 30-year career. A single percentage point of extra annual fees can quietly cost a teacher tens of thousands of dollars by retirement, which is why watching 403(b) fees matters as much as how much you save.
403(b) contribution limits for 2026
The standard elective deferral limit is $24,500 for 2026. If you are age 50-59 or 64 and older, you can add a catch-up contribution for a total of $32,500. Under the SECURE 2.0 super catch-up, employees ages 60-63 can contribute up to $35,750. Many educators also have access to a 457(b) plan and can contribute to both at the same time, which can roughly double the tax-deferred amount you set aside. See 403(b) vs 457(b) to understand the difference, or read about the approved plans in your district.
Have a 403(b) from a previous district?
If you have changed districts or left teaching for a period, you may have an old 403(b) sitting in a former employer's plan. Those accounts are easy to forget and often carry higher fees than you would choose today. Consolidating an old 403(b) into your current plan or an IRA can simplify your retirement and lower your costs. Have a specialist review your old accounts before you move anything.
Worked examples
Three illustrations of how a 403(b) grows at a 6% assumed annual return. These are simplified estimates, not a quote or advice; real results vary with markets, fees, and timing.
Early-career teacher (age 35): $10,000 balance, contributing $9,000/yr for 30 years. Projected balance about $769,000, or roughly $2,560/mo at a 4% withdrawal rate. Starting early is what does the heavy lifting here, most of that total is growth, not contributions.
Mid-career teacher (age 45): $25,000 balance, contributing $6,000/yr for 20 years. Projected balance about $301,000, or roughly $1,000/mo. Bumping the contribution toward the 2026 limit of $24,500 would change this picture substantially.
Catch-up saver (age 55): $200,000 balance, contributing $30,000/yr (using the age 50+ catch-up) for 10 years. Projected balance about $754,000, or roughly $2,510/mo. The final decade, with catch-up contributions, can close a large gap fast. Adding a 457(b) would let this saver set aside even more.
Questions
How much can I contribute to a 403(b) in 2026?
The standard 2026 limit is $24,500. With the age 50-59 catch-up it rises to $32,500, and ages 60-63 can use the SECURE 2.0 super catch-up for up to $35,750.
Can I have both a 403(b) and a 457(b)?
Yes. If your district offers both, you can contribute to each plan in the same year, letting you set aside well beyond a single plan's limit. Compare 403(b) vs 457(b).
Should I get a personal 403(b) review?
A free review with a licensed educator-retirement specialist can check your fees, confirm your contribution room, and coordinate your 403(b) with your pension, Social Security, and any old accounts. Talk to a specialist.