401(k) Match Calculator
See your annual employer 401(k) match, your own contribution and the free money you leave on the table by contributing below the match cap.
How it works
Your contribution = salary × your % · Employer match = min(your contribution, salary × match-limit %) × match rate · Free match missed = salary × match-limit % × match rate − employer match
An employer 401(k) match is an instant, guaranteed return on your contributions — often 50¢ or a full dollar for every dollar you put in, up to a cap expressed as a percentage of your salary. The match only applies to contributions within that cap, so contributing below it forfeits real money you were offered. This calculator multiplies your own deferral by the match rate up to the cap, then shows how much match you miss if you contribute less than the limit.
Worked example
On a $70,000 salary, contributing 6% means you defer $4,200. With a 50% match up to 6% of salary, the employer matches 50¢ per dollar on that whole $4,200 — an extra $2,100 a year. Because you contributed right up to the 6% cap, you capture the full match and leave nothing on the table.
Frequently asked questions
What does a "50% match up to 6%" mean?
The employer adds 50 cents for every dollar you contribute, but only on contributions up to 6% of your salary. Contribute the full 6% and you get the maximum match; contribute less and the match shrinks proportionally.
Is the employer match really free money?
Yes — it is compensation you only receive if you contribute enough to earn it. Passing it up is like declining a raise. Capturing the full match is usually the highest-priority move in any retirement plan.
Does the match count toward my contribution limit?
No. The IRS employee deferral limit applies only to your own contributions; the employer match sits under a separate, higher combined limit. So the match adds to your savings without using up your personal cap.
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Educational estimate only, not financial or tax advice. Retirement, contribution and tax rules change and depend on your personal situation — confirm with a licensed financial or tax professional.