Calculate exactly how much to contribute to capture your full employer match.
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You are capturing the full match ✓
| Your Contribution | $4,800 |
|---|---|
| Employer Match | $3,200 |
| Total Annual Retirement Deposit | $8,000 |
| Max Possible Employer Match | $3,200 |
| Match Left on Table | $0 |
| % Needed for Full Match | 5% |
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Free money from your employer that matches some percentage of your contributions up to a cap. Most common: 100% match on first 3% of salary (plus 50% on next 2%) — called "safe harbor" match.
Contribute at least the percentage of salary required to trigger the full match. If match is "100% up to 5%", contribute at least 5%. Most Americans miss free money by contributing too little.
$23,500 for employees under 50; $31,000 for age 50–59 or 64+ (adds $7,500 catch-up); $34,750 for ages 60–63 (SECURE 2.0 super catch-up of $11,250). Source: IRS Notice 2025-67.
Match is pre-tax into Traditional 401(k) (not taxed when received, taxed on withdrawal) or after-tax into Roth 401(k). Both grow tax-deferred or tax-free. Match does NOT count against your $23,500 employee limit — employer + employee combined §415(c) limit is $71,000 (2026, per IRS Notice 2025-67).
Minimum: always capture the full match (free money). Next priority: pay off high-interest debt (credit cards). Then: max Roth IRA ($7,000). Then: increase 401(k) toward max. This maximizes total tax-advantaged savings.
Every formula on this page traces to a federal agency, central bank, or peer-reviewed institution. We cite the rule-makers, not secondhand blogs.
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Calculations are for educational purposes only. Consult a qualified financial advisor for personalized advice.