Personal Finance calculators
Project CD interest and 401(k) growth with current IRS limits and transparent assumptions.
CD CalculatorSee what a certificate of deposit will be worth at maturity, how much interest it earns and how the balance grows over the term.401(k) CalculatorProject how your 401(k) could grow by retirement, including your employer match, raises and the 2026 IRS contribution limits.
Personal Finance guides
How CD Interest Works: APY, Compounding and What You'll Actually EarnUnderstand how certificates of deposit earn interest, the difference between APY and interest rate, how compounding frequency matters, and how to calculate your return.
CD vs. High-Yield Savings Account: Which Is Better for Your Money?Compare certificates of deposit and high-yield savings accounts on rate, access, risk and flexibility, with a worked example and a simple way to decide.
How to Build a CD Ladder: Steady Access, Better Rates, Less Timing RiskBuild a CD ladder step by step, compare it with a single long CD, and see how ladders balance access to cash with higher long-term rates. Includes a worked example.
CD Early Withdrawal Penalties: How They're Calculated and When Breaking a CD Pays OffHow CD early withdrawal penalties work, typical penalty sizes by term, how to calculate the cost, and when breaking a CD to reinvest at a higher rate makes sense.
Types of CDs Explained: No-Penalty, Bump-Up, Jumbo, Brokered and IRA CDsCompare the main types of certificates of deposit, how each works, their pros and cons, and which situations they suit best.
How CD Interest Is Taxed: 1099-INT, Timing and After-Tax ReturnsHow interest from certificates of deposit is taxed in the US, when it's reported, how multi-year CDs are handled, and how to calculate your after-tax yield.
401(k) Contribution Limits for 2026: Employee, Catch-Up and Total LimitsThe 2026 IRS limits for 401(k), 403(b), 457 and TSP plans: $24,500 employee deferral, $8,000 catch-up, $11,250 for ages 60–63, and the $72,000 total limit.
How a 401(k) Employer Match Works: Formulas, Vesting and Getting the Full MatchUnderstand common 401(k) matching formulas, calculate how much your employer contributes, learn how vesting works, and make sure you don't leave free money on the table.
Traditional vs. Roth 401(k): How to Choose (or Use Both)Compare traditional and Roth 401(k) contributions: when you pay tax, how withdrawals work, required minimum distributions, and how to decide based on your tax rate.
How Much Should I Save for Retirement? Rules of Thumb and How to Check YoursCommon retirement savings guidelines, from saving 15% of income to the 4% withdrawal rule, and how to use a 401(k) projection to see if you're on track.
401(k) Catch-Up Contributions: Age 50+, the 60–63 Super Catch-Up and the Roth RuleHow 401(k) catch-up contributions work in 2026, who qualifies for the higher ages 60–63 limit, the new Roth catch-up rule for higher earners, and how much they can add.
How 401(k) Fees Affect Your Retirement Balance (and How to Find Them)Understand expense ratios and plan fees in your 401(k), see how a 1% difference compounds over decades, and learn where to find fee disclosures and how to lower costs.