401(k) Employer Match Calculator
401(k) Match Maximizer
Calculate the optimal 401(k) contribution to maximize employer matching
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Match Growth Over Time
See how employer match compounds over your career
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Formula
Annual Match = min(Your Contribution Rate, Match Cap %) x Salary x Match Rate. Future Value = Annual Match x ((1 + r)^n - 1) / r
Frequently Asked Questions
How does 401(k) employer matching work?
Employers match a percentage of your contributions up to a limit. Common formulas: 100% match up to 6% of salary, or 50% match up to 6%. If you earn $85,000 and your employer matches dollar-for-dollar up to 6%, contributing 6% ($5,100) gets you $5,100 in free money.
What happens if I don't contribute enough to get the full match?
You leave free money on the table. If your employer matches up to 6% and you only contribute 3%, you get half the available match. Always contribute at least enough to get the full match before paying off low-interest debt or saving elsewhere.
What is a 401(k) vesting schedule?
Vesting determines how much of the employer match you keep if you leave the company. Cliff vesting means 0% until a date (usually 3 years), then 100%. Graded vesting increases gradually (e.g., 20% per year). Your own contributions are always 100% vested.
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