Am I getting my full 401(k) match?
an employer match is the highest return you will ever get: a 50% match is a 50% gain the day the money lands. this calculator shows how much of it you are actually taking, and what the match alone turns into by retirement at 7% a year.
of your salary
of what you put in. 50% means 50 cents per dollar
of your salary
- left on the table
- $650
- match alone at retirement
- $195k
- total at retirement
- $585k
Finn says: your employer is offering $1,950 a year and you're taking $1,300 of it. that's a raise you're declining.
assumptions
- We assume 7% a year, roughly the long-run stock market average.
- Salary stays flat; raises would increase both numbers.
- Vesting schedules are ignored.
This is a planning tool, not financial advice.
learn this in two minutes in the app
common questions
what does "50% match up to 6%" mean?
your employer adds 50 cents for every dollar you put in, until your contribution reaches 6% of your salary. contribute 6% and you get the full match. contribute 4% and you get two thirds of it.
should I contribute more than the match?
the match is the easy win; beyond it, the answer depends on your debts, emergency fund, and tax situation. getting the full match first is the part almost everyone agrees on.
does the calculator include vesting or IRS limits?
no. it assumes you keep the whole match and stay under the annual contribution limit. if you leave before you are fully vested you may keep only part of the employer money.