457(b) Deferral Projection CalculatorFree online financial calculator — instant results, no sign-up
Project annual year-end deferrals at a constant return without enforcing plan limits.
Estimates only, based on the inputs and assumptions shown. This is not financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. Prices, rates and local rules may change; crypto scenarios do not predict returns. Confirm important decisions with a qualified professional.
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About the 457(b) Deferral Projection Calculator
The 457(b) Deferral Projection Calculator estimates your future account balance using a current balance, fixed annual deferrals deposited at year-end, and a constant annual return. It also shows the total amount you would defer over the remaining years. This tool does not enforce 457(b) contribution limits or determine whether your planned deferrals are permitted.
- Current balance ($)
- Your starting 457(b) account balance in dollars, with a default of $30,000.
- Annual deferral ($)
- The fixed dollar amount added to the account at the end of each year, with a default of $12,000.
- Annual return (%)
- The assumed constant annual investment return expressed as a percentage, with a default of 5%.
- Years remaining (years)
- The number of years over which the balance grows and annual deferrals continue, with a default of 20 years.
Formula and method
For r ≠ 0: B = P × (1 + r)^n + D × [((1 + r)^n − 1) / r]. For r = 0: B = P + D × n. Total future deferrals: T = D × n. Convert the percentage input to a decimal using r = R / 100. With the defaults: B = 30000 × (1.05)^20 + 12000 × [((1.05)^20 − 1) / 0.05] = $476,390.38; T = 12000 × 20 = $240,000.00.
- BProjected balance in dollars after the final year-end deferral.
- PCurrent account balance in dollars.
- DFixed annual year-end deferral in dollars.
- RAnnual return entered as a percentage.
- rAnnual return expressed as a decimal.
- nNumber of years remaining.
- TTotal future deferrals in dollars, excluding the current balance and investment returns.
The calculator converts the annual return percentage to a decimal and compounds the current balance for the full projection period. It then adds the future value of equal year-end deferrals: each year's existing balance earns the assumed return before that year's deferral is added. The final deferral therefore earns no return within the projection period. Separately, it multiplies the annual deferral by the years remaining to calculate total future deferrals, with dollar outputs rounded to cents.
Worked example
These are the calculator's starting values and the results it actually produces for them.
Inputs
- Current balance30000 $
- Annual deferral12000 $
- Annual return5 %
- Years remaining20 years
Results
- Projected balance$476,390.38
- Total future deferrals$240,000.00
How to use the 457(b) Deferral Projection Calculator
- 1Enter your current 457(b) balance; the default is $30,000.
- 2Enter the annual amount you plan to defer; the default is $12,000, and the model treats it as a year-end deposit.
- 3Enter your assumed annual return; the default is 5%, held constant throughout the projection.
- 4Enter the years remaining; the default is 20 years.
- 5Review the projected balance and total future deferrals, and separately verify your planned deferrals against applicable IRS and plan rules.
Reading your result
Projected balance is the modeled account value after the final year-end deferral, including the current balance, future deferrals, and compounded investment returns. With the default inputs, it is $476,390.38. Total future deferrals is only the amount added during the projection period, excluding the starting balance and investment returns; with the defaults, it is $240,000.00. Neither row represents guaranteed income or an after-tax withdrawal amount.
Limitations
The projection assumes equal annual deferrals, year-end deposits, annual compounding, and a constant return. Actual payroll deposits may occur throughout the year, and actual returns fluctuate. It does not separately model fees, taxes, inflation, withdrawals, employer contributions, or changes in deferral amounts. It does not enforce annual 457(b) limits, catch-up eligibility, compensation-based restrictions, or plan-specific rules. Governmental and nongovernmental 457(b) plans can have materially different rules and risks that this balance projection does not address.
Common questions
Does this calculator cap my annual 457(b) deferral at the legal limit?+
No. It projects the annual deferral you enter without applying IRS limits, catch-up provisions, or plan restrictions. Check the applicable tax-year rules and your plan's requirements before using the entered amount as a contribution target.
How does the year-end deferral assumption affect my projection?+
Each deferral is added after that year's investment return is applied. The final year's deferral receives no growth within the projection. Contributions made through payroll earlier in the year have different growth timing, so their result can differ from this estimate.
Does the $240,000.00 in total future deferrals include my $30,000 current balance?+
No. It is only $12,000 per year multiplied by 20 years. The $30,000 current balance is included separately in the projected balance of $476,390.38.
Does the projected 457(b) balance show what I can spend after taxes?+
No. The projected balance is an account-value estimate, not an after-tax payout estimate. This calculator does not distinguish pretax from designated Roth amounts or apply distribution taxes and rules.
Does the calculator save my information?+
Calculations run in your browser. While signed in, inputs and results are automatically recorded in account history; saving a result creates a separate saved record.
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Results are estimates for informational purposes and are not financial, medical or legal advice.