401(k) Employer Match Calculator
Short answer: to capture your full employer match, contribute at least up to the top of your plan's match formula — for the most common formula (100% of the first 3% plus 50% of the next 2%) that means contributing 5% of your pay. Enter your numbers below to see the match you earn, any free money you are missing, and what it is worth by retirement.
Set Tier 2 rate to 0 if your employer uses a single-tier match (for example a flat 100% up to 4%).
How this calculator works
The tool models the tiered match formulas that most U.S. employers use. It splits your contribution into the portion that falls in the first match tier and the portion in the second tier, applies each tier's match rate, and adds them up. It then compares the match you actually earn against the maximum your plan offers, so any gap — the "free money" you are forfeiting — is shown explicitly. Finally it projects that annual match forward using the future value of an annuity, FV = M · ((1 + r)n − 1) / r, where M is the yearly match, r your expected return, and n the years until retirement. Every figure updates live in your browser as you type.
Why the match matters more than almost anything else
An employer match is the rare guaranteed return in investing. A dollar-for-dollar match is an instant 100% gain on the money you contribute, locked in before the market does anything. No fund, stock, or savings account reliably offers that. Yet a large share of employees contribute below the match threshold and quietly leave thousands of dollars unclaimed every year. Because that money would also have compounded for decades, the lifetime cost of under-contributing is far larger than the annual gap suggests — which is exactly what the projection above is designed to make concrete.
| Salary | Match at full 5% (100/50 formula) | Match/yr | 30-yr value at 7% |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | 4% of pay matched | ~$2,000 | ~$189,000 |
| $70,000 | 4% of pay matched | ~$2,800 | ~$264,000 |
| $100,000 | 4% of pay matched | ~$4,000 | ~$378,000 |
A 100%-of-3% + 50%-of-2% formula maxes out at 4% of salary in employer money. Figures are illustrative; use the calculator for your exact plan.
Next steps
If the tool shows you are missing match, raising your contribution rate by even one or two percentage points is usually the single highest-return move available to you. Read our step-by-step guide to capturing your full 401(k) match for how to read your plan's formula and adjust your deferral, or see how different match formulas stack up to understand what your employer is really offering.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I contribute to get my full 401(k) match?
Contribute at least enough to reach the top of your employer's match formula. A very common formula is 100% of the first 3% of pay plus 50% of the next 2%, which is fully captured at a 5% contribution. The calculator above shows the exact percentage your specific plan requires.
Is the employer match part of my contribution limit?
No. The 2026 employee deferral limit of $24,500 ($32,500 if you are 50 or older) applies only to the money you contribute. Employer match is separate and counts toward a much higher combined limit ($72,000 in 2026, or $76,500 with catch-up).
Does the employer match count as free money?
Effectively yes. A dollar-for-dollar match is an instant 100% return on the money you contribute, before any market growth. Skipping it is one of the most expensive mistakes in personal finance, which is why the tool highlights any match you are forfeiting.
What does 'vesting' mean for my match?
Vesting is how long you must stay employed before the matched money is fully yours. Your own contributions are always 100% vested. Employer match may vest immediately, on a cliff schedule (for example 100% after 3 years), or gradually. Check your plan's vesting schedule before relying on the match.
Should I contribute more than the match?
Often yes, but the match comes first. Once you capture the full match, many people compare their 401(k) fund fees against an IRA before contributing beyond the match. Money above the match still grows tax-advantaged, just without the extra employer dollars.