401(k) Match Calculator
Enter your salary, your contribution, and the match formula. See the match in dollars, whether you are leaving free money on the table, and what today’s match grows into.
| Your contribution | — |
| Free money left on the table | — |
| Contribution to get the full match | — |
| This year's match at retirement (7%) | — |
How employer matches work
The most common formula is "50% of the first 6%": contribute 6% of salary and the employer adds 3%. On $75,000, contributing only 4% earns a $1,500 match — but contributing 6% earns $2,250. The missing $750/year is a pay raise you declined.
Match = Salary × min(Your %, Cap %) × Match rate
Why the match beats everything else
A 50% match is an instant 50% return before any market growth — no investment on earth reliably competes. And every matched dollar compounds: this year's $2,250 match, growing at 7% for 30 years, becomes about $17,000. Missing the match for a decade early in a career quietly costs six figures at retirement.
Priority order most planners agree on
- Contribute enough to get the full match — always first, even while paying off most debt.
- Attack high-interest debt (cards) — see the debt payoff calculator.
- Then raise retirement savings toward 15% of income — project it with the retirement calculator.
Check your vesting schedule: employer contributions may take 2–6 years to become fully yours if you leave.
Frequently asked questions
What does a 50% match up to 6% mean?
Your employer adds 50 cents per dollar you contribute, on contributions up to 6% of salary. Contribute 6% of $75,000 ($4,500) and the employer adds $2,250. Contributions above 6% get no match but still grow tax-advantaged.
How much should I contribute to my 401(k)?
At minimum, enough to capture the full match — that part is a guaranteed 25–100% instant return. The common overall target is 15% of income toward retirement including the match.
Is the employer match taxed?
Not when contributed. Traditional-side matches grow tax-deferred and are taxed as income at withdrawal. Even employees who contribute Roth typically receive the match pre-tax.
What is vesting?
The schedule by which employer contributions become permanently yours — e.g. 20% per year over 5 years. Your own contributions are always 100% yours immediately. Leaving before vesting forfeits the unvested match.
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Last updated: 2026-07-08