The 401(k) plan is the most popular retirement investment vehicle in the United States. The employer-sponsored plan allows future retirees to invest their savings and, ideally, have them grow tax free over time.
Enrollees are generally encouraged by financial experts to contribute aggressively to their 401(k) plans and, when possible, to max them out so they are well situated for a comfortable retirement.
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But how long will a maxed-out 401(k) plan last you?
GOBankingRates analyzed the 401(k) contributions to find the value of a 401(k) after maximum contributions throughout a 30-year career, factoring in an inflation rate of 2.53%. Here’s how long a maxed-out 401(k) will comfortably last you in every state, assuming that you retire at 66 and that you have a maxed-out 401(k) balance of $5,746,382.

Hawaii
- Annual cost of living comfortably in retirement: $218,621
- Years to draw down your 401(k) plan: 26.28
- Total cost of living comfortably for 15 years in retirement: $3,279,322
- Total cost of living comfortably for 20 years in retirement: $4,372,430
- Total cost of living comfortably for 30 years in retirement: $6,558,644
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California
- Annual cost of living comfortably in retirement: $173,553
- Years to draw down your 401(k) plan: 33.11
- Total cost of living comfortably for 15 years in retirement: $2,603,291
- Total cost of living comfortably for 20 years in retirement: $3,471,054
- Total cost of living comfortably for 30 years in retirement: $5,206,581
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Massachusetts
- Annual cost of living comfortably in retirement: $150,069
- Years to draw down your 401(k) plan: 38.29
- Total cost of living comfortably for 15 years in retirement: $1,125,515
- Total cost of living comfortably for 20 years in retirement: $3,001,372
- Total cost of living comfortably for 30 years in retirement: $4,502,059

Washington
- Annual cost of living comfortably in retirement: $136,816
- Years to draw down your 401(k) plan: 42
- Total cost of living comfortably for 15 years in retirement: $1,026,120
- Total cost of living comfortably for 20 years in retirement: $2,736,320
- Total cost of living comfortably for 30 years in retirement: $4,104,480

New Jersey
- Annual cost of living comfortably in retirement: $127,203
- Years to draw down your 401(k) plan: 45.17
- Total cost of living comfortably for 15 years in retirement: $1,908,041
- Total cost of living comfortably for 20 years in retirement: $2,544,054
- Total cost of living comfortably for 30 years in retirement: $3,816,081

Oregon
- Annual cost of living comfortably in retirement: $121,811
- Years to draw down your 401(k) plan: 47.17
- Total cost of living comfortably for 15 years in retirement: $913,580
- Total cost of living comfortably for 20 years in retirement: $2,436,214
- Total cost of living comfortably for 30 years in retirement: $3,654,321
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Colorado
- Annual cost of living comfortably in retirement: $121,575
- Years to draw down your 401(k) plan: 47.27
- Total cost of living comfortably for 15 years in retirement: $1,823,628
- Total cost of living comfortably for 20 years in retirement: $2,431,504
- Total cost of living comfortably for 30 years in retirement: $3,647,256

New York
- Annual cost of living comfortably in retirement: $119,119
- Years to draw down your 401(k) plan: 48.24
- Total cost of living comfortably for 15 years in retirement: $1,786,786
- Total cost of living comfortably for 20 years in retirement: $2,382,381
- Total cost of living comfortably for 30 years in retirement: $3,573,572

Utah
- Annual cost of living comfortably in retirement: $118,637
- Years to draw down your 401(k) plan: 48.44
- Total cost of living comfortably for 15 years in retirement: $1,779,548
- Total cost of living comfortably for 20 years in retirement: $2,372,730
- Total cost of living comfortably for 30 years in retirement: $3,559,095

New Hampshire
- Annual cost of living comfortably in retirement: $116,860
- Years to draw down your 401(k) plan: 49.17
- Total cost of living comfortably for 15 years in retirement: $1,752,894
- Total cost of living comfortably for 20 years in retirement: $2,337,192
- Total cost of living comfortably for 30 years in retirement: $3,505,787
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Rhode Island
- Annual cost of living comfortably in retirement: $111,586
- Years to draw down your 401(k) plan: 51.50
- Total cost of living comfortably for 15 years in retirement: $1,673,790
- Total cost of living comfortably for 20 years in retirement: $2,231,721
- Total cost of living comfortably for 30 years in retirement: $3,347,581

Arizona
- Annual cost of living comfortably in retirement: $109,353
- Years to draw down your 401(k) plan: 52.55
- Total cost of living comfortably for 15 years in retirement: $1,640,290
- Total cost of living comfortably for 20 years in retirement: $2,187,053
- Total cost of living comfortably for 30 years in retirement: $3,280,580

Maryland
- Annual cost of living comfortably in retirement: $109,346
- Years to draw down your 401(k) plan: 52.55
- Total cost of living comfortably for 15 years in retirement: $1,640,196
- Total cost of living comfortably for 20 years in retirement: $2,186,928
- Total cost of living comfortably for 30 years in retirement: $3,280,391

Nevada
- Annual cost of living comfortably in retirement: $109,067
- Years to draw down your 401(k) plan: 52.69
- Total cost of living comfortably for 15 years in retirement: $1,636,011
- Total cost of living comfortably for 20 years in retirement: $2,181,347
- Total cost of living comfortably for 30 years in retirement: $3,272,021
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Idaho
- Annual cost of living comfortably in retirement: $108,750
- Years to draw down your 401(k) plan: 52.84
- Total cost of living comfortably for 15 years in retirement: $815,624
- Total cost of living comfortably for 20 years in retirement: $2,174,996
- Total cost of living comfortably for 30 years in retirement: $3,262,494

Montana
- Annual cost of living comfortably in retirement: $108,112
- Years to draw down your 401(k) plan: 53.15
- Total cost of living comfortably for 15 years in retirement: $1,621,677
- Total cost of living comfortably for 20 years in retirement: $2,162,236
- Total cost of living comfortably for 30 years in retirement: $3,243,353

Connecticut
- Annual cost of living comfortably in retirement: $107,583
- Years to draw down your 401(k) plan: 53.41
- Total cost of living comfortably for 15 years in retirement: $806,873
- Total cost of living comfortably for 20 years in retirement: $2,151,660
- Total cost of living comfortably for 30 years in retirement: $3,227,490

Alaska
- Annual cost of living comfortably in retirement: $107,540
- Years to draw down your 401(k) plan: 53.43
- Total cost of living comfortably for 15 years in retirement: $1,613,107
- Total cost of living comfortably for 20 years in retirement: $2,150,809
- Total cost of living comfortably for 30 years in retirement: $3,226,214
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Maine
- Annual cost of living comfortably in retirement: $105,972
- Years to draw down your 401(k) plan: 54.23
- Total cost of living comfortably for 15 years in retirement: $1,589,582
- Total cost of living comfortably for 20 years in retirement: $2,119,442
- Total cost of living comfortably for 30 years in retirement: $3,179,163

Vermont
- Annual cost of living comfortably in retirement: $104,724
- Years to draw down your 401(k) plan: 54.87
- Total cost of living comfortably for 15 years in retirement: $1,570,859
- Total cost of living comfortably for 20 years in retirement: $2,094,479
- Total cost of living comfortably for 30 years in retirement: $3,141,718

Florida
- Annual cost of living comfortably in retirement: $102,687
- Years to draw down your 401(k) plan: 55.96
- Total cost of living comfortably for 15 years in retirement: $1,540,304
- Total cost of living comfortably for 20 years in retirement: $2,053,738
- Total cost of living comfortably for 30 years in retirement: $3,080,607

Virginia
- Annual cost of living comfortably in retirement: $99,717
- Years to draw down your 401(k) plan: 57.63
- Total cost of living comfortably for 15 years in retirement: $1,495,757
- Total cost of living comfortably for 20 years in retirement: $1,994,343
- Total cost of living comfortably for 30 years in retirement: $2,991,514
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Delaware
- Annual cost of living comfortably in retirement: $97,435
- Years to draw down your 401(k) plan: 58.98
- Total cost of living comfortably for 15 years in retirement: $1,461,523
- Total cost of living comfortably for 20 years in retirement: $1,948,697
- Total cost of living comfortably for 30 years in retirement: $2,923,045

Wyoming
- Annual cost of living comfortably in retirement: $89,118
- Years to draw down your 401(k) plan: 64.48
- Total cost of living comfortably for 15 years in retirement: $1,336,767
- Total cost of living comfortably for 20 years in retirement: $1,782,357
- Total cost of living comfortably for 30 years in retirement: $2,673,535

Minnesota
- Annual cost of living comfortably in retirement: $88,968
- Years to draw down your 401(k) plan: 64.59
- Total cost of living comfortably for 15 years in retirement: $1,334,526
- Total cost of living comfortably for 20 years in retirement: $1,779,368
- Total cost of living comfortably for 30 years in retirement: $2,669,052

North Carolina
- Annual cost of living comfortably in retirement: $88,689
- Years to draw down your 401(k) plan: 64.79
- Total cost of living comfortably for 15 years in retirement: $1,330,333
- Total cost of living comfortably for 20 years in retirement: $1,773,777
- Total cost of living comfortably for 30 years in retirement: $2,660,665
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Georgia
- Annual cost of living comfortably in retirement: $86,125
- Years to draw down your 401(k) plan: 66.72
- Total cost of living comfortably for 15 years in retirement: $1,291,873
- Total cost of living comfortably for 20 years in retirement: $1,722,497
- Total cost of living comfortably for 30 years in retirement: $2,583,745

Wisconsin
- Annual cost of living comfortably in retirement: $84,885
- Years to draw down your 401(k) plan: 67.70
- Total cost of living comfortably for 15 years in retirement: $106,107
- Total cost of living comfortably for 20 years in retirement: $1,697,708
- Total cost of living comfortably for 30 years in retirement: $2,546,561

South Dakota
- Annual cost of living comfortably in retirement: $84,073
- Years to draw down your 401(k) plan: 68.35
- Total cost of living comfortably for 15 years in retirement: $1,261,102
- Total cost of living comfortably for 20 years in retirement: $1,681,469
- Total cost of living comfortably for 30 years in retirement: $2,522,204

Tennessee
- Annual cost of living comfortably in retirement: $84,056
- Years to draw down your 401(k) plan: 68.36
- Total cost of living comfortably for 15 years in retirement: $1,260,843
- Total cost of living comfortably for 20 years in retirement: $1,681,124
- Total cost of living comfortably for 30 years in retirement: $2,521,686
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New Mexico
- Annual cost of living comfortably in retirement: $83,282
- Years to draw down your 401(k) plan: 69
- Total cost of living comfortably for 15 years in retirement: $1,249,232
- Total cost of living comfortably for 20 years in retirement: $1,665,643
- Total cost of living comfortably for 30 years in retirement: $2,498,465

South Carolina
- Annual cost of living comfortably in retirement: $82,141
- Years to draw down your 401(k) plan: 69.96
- Total cost of living comfortably for 15 years in retirement: $102,676
- Total cost of living comfortably for 20 years in retirement: $1,642,811
- Total cost of living comfortably for 30 years in retirement: $2,464,216

Texas
- Annual cost of living comfortably in retirement: $81,578
- Years to draw down your 401(k) plan: 70.44
- Total cost of living comfortably for 15 years in retirement: $1,223,673
- Total cost of living comfortably for 20 years in retirement: $1,631,564
- Total cost of living comfortably for 30 years in retirement: $2,447,345

Illinois
- Annual cost of living comfortably in retirement: $79,529
- Years to draw down your 401(k) plan: 72.26
- Total cost of living comfortably for 15 years in retirement: $1,192,932
- Total cost of living comfortably for 20 years in retirement: $1,590,576
- Total cost of living comfortably for 30 years in retirement: $2,385,864
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North Dakota
- Annual cost of living comfortably in retirement: $78,576
- Years to draw down your 401(k) plan: 73.13
- Total cost of living comfortably for 15 years in retirement: $1,178,646
- Total cost of living comfortably for 20 years in retirement: $1,571,528
- Total cost of living comfortably for 30 years in retirement: $2,357,292

Pennsylvania
- Annual cost of living comfortably in retirement: $77,987
- Years to draw down your 401(k) plan: 73.68
- Total cost of living comfortably for 15 years in retirement: $1,169,807
- Total cost of living comfortably for 20 years in retirement: $1,559,743
- Total cost of living comfortably for 30 years in retirement: $2,339,614

Nebraska
- Annual cost of living comfortably in retirement: $77,987
- Years to draw down your 401(k) plan: 73.68
- Total cost of living comfortably for 15 years in retirement: $96,868
- Total cost of living comfortably for 20 years in retirement: $1,549,896
- Total cost of living comfortably for 30 years in retirement: $2,324,844

Indiana
- Annual cost of living comfortably in retirement: $73,818
- Years to draw down your 401(k) plan: 77.85
- Total cost of living comfortably for 15 years in retirement: $1,107,270
- Total cost of living comfortably for 20 years in retirement: $1,476,360
- Total cost of living comfortably for 30 years in retirement: $2,214,541
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Missouri
- Annual cost of living comfortably in retirement: $73,286
- Years to draw down your 401(k) plan: 78.41
- Total cost of living comfortably for 15 years in retirement: $91,607
- Total cost of living comfortably for 20 years in retirement: $1,465,714
- Total cost of living comfortably for 30 years in retirement: $2,198,572

Michigan
- Annual cost of living comfortably in retirement: $73,204
- Years to draw down your 401(k) plan: 78.50
- Total cost of living comfortably for 15 years in retirement: $1,098,061
- Total cost of living comfortably for 20 years in retirement: $1,464,081
- Total cost of living comfortably for 30 years in retirement: $2,196,122

Ohio
- Annual cost of living comfortably in retirement: $73,164
- Years to draw down your 401(k) plan: 78.54
- Total cost of living comfortably for 15 years in retirement: $1,097,462
- Total cost of living comfortably for 20 years in retirement: $1,463,283
- Total cost of living comfortably for 30 years in retirement: $2,194,924

Iowa
- Annual cost of living comfortably in retirement: $70,706
- Years to draw down your 401(k) plan: 81.27
- Total cost of living comfortably for 15 years in retirement: $1,060,588
- Total cost of living comfortably for 20 years in retirement: $1,414,117
- Total cost of living comfortably for 30 years in retirement: $2,121,176
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Kentucky
- Annual cost of living comfortably in retirement: $70,659
- Years to draw down your 401(k) plan: 81.33
- Total cost of living comfortably for 15 years in retirement: $1,059,884
- Total cost of living comfortably for 20 years in retirement: $1,413,179
- Total cost of living comfortably for 30 years in retirement: $2,119,768

Kansas
- Annual cost of living comfortably in retirement: $70,599
- Years to draw down your 401(k) plan: 81.39
- Total cost of living comfortably for 15 years in retirement: $1,058,981
- Total cost of living comfortably for 20 years in retirement: $1,411,975
- Total cost of living comfortably for 30 years in retirement: $2,117,962

Louisiana
- Annual cost of living comfortably in retirement: $68,734
- Years to draw down your 401(k) plan: 83.60
- Total cost of living comfortably for 15 years in retirement: $1,031,017
- Total cost of living comfortably for 20 years in retirement: $1,374,690
- Total cost of living comfortably for 30 years in retirement: $2,062,035

Alabama
- Annual cost of living comfortably in retirement: $68,573
- Years to draw down your 401(k) plan: 83.80
- Total cost of living comfortably for 15 years in retirement: $1,028,600
- Total cost of living comfortably for 20 years in retirement: $1,371,466
- Total cost of living comfortably for 30 years in retirement: $2,057,199
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Arkansas
- Annual cost of living comfortably in retirement: $66,709
- Years to draw down your 401(k) plan: 86.14
- Total cost of living comfortably for 15 years in retirement: $1,000,642
- Total cost of living comfortably for 20 years in retirement: $1,334,189
- Total cost of living comfortably for 30 years in retirement: $2,001,283

Oklahoma
- Annual cost of living comfortably in retirement: $66,422
- Years to draw down your 401(k) plan: 86.51
- Total cost of living comfortably for 15 years in retirement: $996,331
- Total cost of living comfortably for 20 years in retirement: $1,328,442
- Total cost of living comfortably for 30 years in retirement: $1,992,663

Mississippi
- Annual cost of living comfortably in retirement: $64,074
- Years to draw down your 401(k) plan: 89.68
- Total cost of living comfortably for 15 years in retirement: $961,104
- Total cost of living comfortably for 20 years in retirement: $1,281,472
- Total cost of living comfortably for 30 years in retirement: $1,922,208

West Virginia
- Annual cost of living comfortably in retirement: $60,957
- Years to draw down your 401(k) plan: 94.27
- Total cost of living comfortably for 15 years in retirement: $914,362
- Total cost of living comfortably for 20 years in retirement: $1,219,149
- Total cost of living comfortably for 30 years in retirement: $1,828,724
Methodology: For this study, GOBankingRates analyzed 401(k) contributions to find the value of a 401(k) after maximum contributions throughout a 30-year career. First, GOBankingRates found the cost of living for each state as sourced from the Missouri Economic Research Information Center. For each state, the average expenditures for residents aged 65 and over were calculated using the national average expenditure costs, sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey. Using the average mortgage (sourced from the Federal Reserve) for the average home (sourced from Zillow) plus expenditure costs, the cost of living was calculated. Using the IRS’s 401(k) contribution limits and assuming the limits will be increased by the inflation rate (2.53% as sourced from USInflationCalculator.com), the annual rate of return will be 10.52% (as sourced from Vanguard’s How America Saves), there are no employer matches, and the employee invests the maximum amount for 30 years, the total value of a 401(k) was calculated. Using the final 401(k) value, the leftover savings after 15, 20 and 30 years were calculated. The exact amount of time needed to draw down the entire 401(k) was calculated using the annual cost of living and the total 401(k) value at the age of 66. All data was collected on and is up to date as of Sept. 16, 2024.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: How Long Will a Maxed-Out 401(k) Last in Retirement in Every State?
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