Are you getting your full 401(k) match?
An employer match is the closest thing to free money in personal finance — and contributing too little to earn all of it is one of the most common, most expensive mistakes. Enter your salary, your contribution rate, and your employer's match formula to see the match you're capturing, the match you're leaving on the table, and your projected balance at retirement. Everything runs in your browser — nothing is uploaded.
A simplified projection, not financial or tax advice. It uses the 2026 IRS elective-deferral limit of $24,500 ($8,000 additional catch-up at age 50+), applied to your own contributions only — the employer match doesn't count toward that limit. It assumes a steady salary, a constant return, contributions and match paid level through the year, and no vesting schedule. Actual limits, match rules, and vesting vary by plan.
How employer 401(k) matching works
Most 401(k) plans match a portion of what you contribute, up to a cap expressed as a percent of your pay. A very common formula is "100% of the first 3%, then 50% of the next 2%." That means if you contribute at least 5% of your salary, your employer adds 4% of your salary on top — a guaranteed, immediate return you can't get anywhere else. Contribute less than 5% and you forfeit part of that 4%, permanently.
Why the match is "free money"
A dollar-for-dollar match is an instant 100% return on your contribution before the market does anything. Even a 50% match is a 50% return. No investment reliably offers that. Passing it up to free up a little take-home pay is almost always a losing trade — which is why "at least contribute enough to get the full match" is the single most repeated piece of retirement advice.
2026 contribution limits
- Employee deferral limit: $24,500 for 2026 if you're under 50.
- Catch-up contribution: an extra $8,000 if you're 50 or older, for a $32,500 total.
- The employer match does not count toward these employee limits — there's a separate, much higher combined limit that most people never reach.
This calculator caps your contribution at the applicable limit so a high contribution percent on a high salary doesn't overstate what you can actually defer.
How much should you contribute?
A sensible order of priorities: first contribute at least enough to capture the entire employer match, then build an emergency fund and pay down high-interest debt, then work back toward the annual maximum as your budget allows. The match is step one because it's the highest-return dollar you'll ever invest.
Frequently asked questions
What contribution percent do I need for the full match?
Enough to cover every tier of your match formula. With "100% of the first 3% plus 50% of the next 2%," the match caps out once you contribute 5% of your salary. This calculator shows the exact percent that captures your full match and flags how much you're currently missing.
Does the employer match count toward the $24,500 limit?
No. The 2026 employee elective-deferral limit of $24,500 (plus an $8,000 catch-up at 50+) applies only to the money you contribute. Employer matching and profit-sharing fall under a separate, much higher combined limit, so the match never eats into your own contribution room.
What is a vesting schedule?
Some employers require you to stay a few years before their matching contributions fully become yours. Until you're "vested," you could forfeit some match if you leave. This tool assumes immediate vesting; check your plan documents for the real schedule.
Should I choose a Roth or traditional 401(k)?
Traditional contributions lower your taxable income now and are taxed on withdrawal; Roth contributions are made after tax and come out tax-free later. The employer match is always pre-tax regardless. The right choice depends on whether you expect a higher or lower tax rate in retirement — Planomy's full app can model both.
Put your 401(k) into a full plan
Free, private, and running entirely in your browser. Combine your 401(k), IRAs, Social Security, and taxes into one projection — and track plan vs. actual — no account required.