401(k) Employer Match Calculator
How much free employer match money your contribution rate earns — and what you might be missing.
Every calculation runs locally in your browser. Plan rules vary — check your plan document for the exact match formula, vesting schedule, and IRS annual contribution limits.
Employer match you'll receive this year
$1,600
Your annual contribution
$3,200
Total going into your account
$4,800
For informational and educational purposes only — not financial, investment, or tax advice, and not a substitute for consulting a qualified professional about your specific situation. TrueMeasureKit is not liable for decisions made based on these results. See our Terms of Service.
Why the match limit matters more than the match rate
A "50% match up to 6%" plan only matches your contribution rate up to that 6% ceiling — contributing 4% when the limit is 6% means the employer match on the missing 2% simply never gets paid, an instant, guaranteed return that cannot be recovered later in the year. Contributing above the limit is still worth doing for your own savings, but the match itself stops growing once you've hit the cap — which is why "contribute at least up to the match" is the most commonly repeated piece of retirement advice: it's the only guaranteed return in the entire plan.
Frequently asked questions
What are the common employer match formulas?
Two common structures: a flat match (e.g., 50% of contributions up to 6% of pay) and a tiered match (e.g., 100% on the first 3%, 50% on the next 2%). Check your plan documents for your exact formula.
What happens if I contribute less than the match threshold?
You leave part of the employer match unclaimed — it's not paid out any other way. Contributing at least up to the full match threshold is generally considered the highest-priority savings move before anything else.