What is a 401(k) match?

Money your employer adds when you contribute, often a percent of what you put in, up to a percent of your pay. It is part of your compensation.

Should I get the match before paying extra on debt?

Usually yes. A match is an immediate return you do not get back later. After you capture it, high-interest debt is often the next priority.

Free 401(k) Match Calculator

401(k) match

Annual salary

$65,000

Your contribution

4%

Employer matches

50%

Up to this percent of pay

6%

Employer money this year

$1,300

You are leaving about $650 of match on the table. Your contribution is $2,600.

With the full matchAt your current rate

If both grew about 7% a year for 30 years with your salary unchanged, the full match would leave you about $198,245 ahead. Estimate only.

Where the money comes from in 30 years

At your current rate, growing an assumed 7% a year with your salary unchanged. Estimate only.

Your contributions$78,000 (20%)
Employer match$39,000 (10%)
Growth$279,491 (70%)

Balance after 30 years$396,491

Your match at a glance

Based on your salary and your employer's formula.

Free money per year: $1,300; About $108 a month
Match left on the table: $650; Contribute 6% to get it all
Match per $1 you put in: $0.50
Match over 30 years: $39,000; Before any growth

What if you contributed a different amount?

Same salary and match formula, an assumed 7% return, 30 years.

Match and balance at different contribution rates
Contribution	You put in / yr	Match / yr	Balance in 30 yrs
3% of pay	$1,950	$975	$297,368
4% of payYou	$2,600	$1,300	$396,491
6% of pay (full match)	$3,900	$1,950	$594,736
10% of pay	$6,500	$1,950	$859,063
15% of pay	$9,750	$1,950	$1,189,472

Year by year breakdown

401(k) balance year by year
Year	You put in	Employer match	Balance
Year 1	$2,600	$1,300	$4,028
Year 2	$5,200	$2,600	$8,346
Year 3	$7,800	$3,900	$12,977
Year 4	$10,400	$5,200	$17,943
Year 5	$13,000	$6,500	$23,268
Year 6	$15,600	$7,800	$28,977
Year 7	$18,200	$9,100	$35,100
Year 8	$20,800	$10,400	$41,665
Year 9	$23,400	$11,700	$48,704
Year 10	$26,000	$13,000	$56,253
Year 11	$28,600	$14,300	$64,347
Year 12	$31,200	$15,600	$73,026
Year 13	$33,800	$16,900	$82,333
Year 14	$36,400	$18,200	$92,312
Year 15	$39,000	$19,500	$103,013
Year 16	$41,600	$20,800	$114,487
Year 17	$44,200	$22,100	$126,791
Year 18	$46,800	$23,400	$139,984
Year 19	$49,400	$24,700	$154,131
Year 20	$52,000	$26,000	$169,301
Year 21	$54,600	$27,300	$185,568
Year 22	$57,200	$28,600	$203,010
Year 23	$59,800	$29,900	$221,713
Year 24	$62,400	$31,200	$241,768
Year 25	$65,000	$32,500	$263,273
Year 26	$67,600	$33,800	$286,333
Year 27	$70,200	$35,100	$311,060
Year 28	$72,800	$36,400	$337,574
Year 29	$75,400	$37,700	$366,004
Year 30	$78,000	$39,000	$396,491

Your next step

Same numbers, different next move

Two people can get this exact result and need totally different first steps. Your Money Type tells you which one is yours.

Strategist“My plan works. I just want it to grow faster.”
Spender“The money is gone before I think about it.”
Saver“I save it. Then it just sits there.”
Scrambler“Every payday I’m guessing what gets paid first.”

Find my Money TypeFree, about 2 minutes

Already know yours?

How It Works

01
Enter your annual salary and your contribution.
02
Add your employer's match and the percent of pay it matches up to.
03
See the employer money you get this year and any match you are missing.

The 4 Money Types

The Math Is the Same. Your Next Move Isn't.

Spenders, Savers, Scramblers, and Strategists each need a different first fix. The free quiz tells you which type you are, so you know what to do with this number.

Find My Money Type

Common questions

: Money your employer adds when you contribute, often a percent of what you put in, up to a percent of your pay. It is part of your compensation.
: Usually yes. A match is an immediate return you do not get back later. After you capture it, high-interest debt is often the next priority.

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401(k) Match Calculator