Employer match calculator
Many jobs offer a retirement plan, like a 401(k)A retirement savings plan through your job. Money comes out of your paycheck automatically, and your employer may add some too.More in the glossary. Some will add money to your account when you save, called an Employer matchMoney your employer adds to your retirement account when you save in it. It's free money, so try to save enough to get all of it.More in the glossary. It's one of the best deals in money.
Find your match in your benefits paperwork, or ask HR. It usually sounds like "50% of what you put in, up to 6% of your pay."
Your results
- Your employer adds now
- $350 a year
- The most you could get
- $1,050 a year
- Left on the table
- $700 a year
What this means
- You're leaving $700 a year on the table. To get the full match, put in at least 6% of your pay. That's about $175 a month before taxes.
- A 50% match is like getting an instant 50% return on the money you put in, before any investment growth.
- Some employers make you work there for a while before the match is fully yours. This is called VestingThe time you may need to work at a job before your employer's match is fully yours to keep if you leave.More in the glossary. Ask how yours works.
If you're also trying to build an emergency fund or pay off high-interest debt, getting at least the full match is often a good first step.
Where to get free help
- Investor.gov (SEC)
Check whether an investment professional is registered, and learn how to spot investment scams.
- Report a scam to the FTC
Tell the Federal Trade Commission about a scam, even if you didn't lose money. You'll get advice on what to do next.