How much is my 401(k) match worth?

Example with hypothetical numbers: on a $65,000 salary, if your employer matches 50% of what you put in up to 6% of pay and you put in 4%, the match is $1,300 a year. Putting in 6% would get the full $1,950, so $650 is left on the table.

What is a tiered 401(k) match?

A tiered match has two steps, for example 100% of the first 3% of pay plus 50% of the next 2%. This employer match calculator adds those steps so the total match is right. Single-tier formulas stay the default.

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. This is education, not personal advice.

401(k) Employer Match Calculator: Full or Tiered?

Employer match calculator

Employer money

$1,300

$650 left on the table

Annual salary

Your contribution

Tiered (two-step) match

Employer matches (first tier)

First tier up to this percent of pay

Employer money this year

$1,300

You're 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.

Save your results

The details behind your number

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 single-tier match formula. Turn on tiered match if yours has two steps.

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 first step

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

Find my Money TypeFree, about 2 minutes

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How It Works

01
Enter your annual salary and your contribution percent.
02
Enter a single-tier match, or turn on tiered match for a two-step formula (for example 100% of the first 3% plus 50% of the next 2%).
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 First Step 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

: Example with hypothetical numbers: on a $65,000 salary, if your employer matches 50% of what you put in up to 6% of pay and you put in 4%, the match is $1,300 a year. Putting in 6% would get the full $1,950, so $650 is left on the table.
: A tiered match has two steps, for example 100% of the first 3% of pay plus 50% of the next 2%. This employer match calculator adds those steps so the total match is right. Single-tier formulas stay the default.
: 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. This is education, not personal advice.

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401(k) Employer Match Calculator