Learning to calculate 401k savings can be like learning to ride a bicycle. There are so many elements that go into it—company policy, Internal Revenue Service (IRS) code, legal ramifications, personal tastes, financial advice . . . it’s ridiculous sometimes. Indeed, to the outside observer, it can appear very much like learning to ride a bike, especially if we liken that outside observer to a tortoise, who has no hope in this world or the next of ever gaining such kinesthetic mastery over any Schwinn.

But just because learning to calculate 401k savings can appear daunting doesn’t mean that you should throw up your hands in defeat. (On the contrary, keeping them on the handlebars helps you keep your balance.) Instead, you just need to identify competent instructors, develop the willpower, and put in the time. After all, while the hare may be the one with limbs better suited to bicycle riding, it’s slow and steady that wins the race.

To identify competent instructors, you need look no further at first than your own human resource department. What is the group that is providing you with your 401k plan? If you’re running a solo 401k then you had better skip this step (because in that case, you are the human resource department). They will have brochures, handouts, or at least competent employees who can tell you where to look and who to talk to. After all, because your employer provides the 401(k), they are the ones who have gone to the trouble of setting it up and making sure the legal requirements all fall in line. They know the specific regulations of operating the 401k. Not only will they be able to give you the specifics, but because your corporation wants you to use your 401k, they will also be able to cover the basic laws that apply to all 401(k) accounts.

With that knowledge and that resource in hand, you may want to go to a financial planner or, perhaps to your accountant. These additional sources of information are often able to assist you to calculate 401k savings in a manner tailored to your individual needs. After all, you need to not only look at the rules but also at your own ability to pay toward the account and, if you’re at that stage, to make catch-up payments.

Developing the willpower and putting in the time can be lumped into a single category of advice. To calculate 401k savings, you have to realize that it’s going to be an event that isn’t going to necessarily fly by quickly. You have to be willing to track down the people we’ve mentioned above. You have to do your homework to ask the right questions and then record and synthesize the answers. You have to be willing to forego maybe two or three nights on the town so you can stay at home with your calculator and your pencil and figure out what adds up. But realize that as you put in that effort to calculate 401k savings, you’ll be able to both plan for retirement and know what you would have on hand if you had to make a 401k withdrawal right now.