401(k) Employer Match Calculator

Worked example

On a $100,000 salary with a 50% match up to 6%, contributing 6% earns $3,000/year from the employer; contributing only 3% earns $1,500 and leaves $1,500 of match unused.

When to use this

• Checking whether your current deferral captures the full employer match.
• Explaining a match formula like 50% of the first 6% of salary.
• Estimating annual match dollars for budgeting or open enrollment.

Common mistakes

• Treating match as a flat percent of contribution dollars with no salary cap.
• Ignoring vesting—matched dollars may not be fully yours yet.
• Stopping at the match when cash flow allows higher deferrals toward IRS limits.

How it works

Calculates annual employer 401(k) match using a salary-based formula: matched % = min(your deferral %, match-up-to % of salary); employer dollars = salary × matched % × match rate. Also shows how much match you leave unused if you defer below the match-up-to percent.

Limitations

Results are estimates for educational purposes and are not financial advice. Plan match formulas, vesting, and true-up rules vary—confirm with your plan documents.

Privacy and file handling

Your data stays on your device and is not uploaded.

Accuracy & methodology

This section documents how the calculator works, what it leaves out, and when results were last reviewed. Figures are educational estimates—not professional advice—and are not labeled "current" unless tied to automatically updated reference data.

Formula source or methodology

matchedPct = min(contribution%/100, matchCap%/100); employerAnnual = salary × matchedPct × matchRate/100.

Jurisdiction

United States (educational)

Unit system

US dollars and percents

Rounding method

Currency amounts round to two decimal places (half up via Math.round × 100 / 100).

Assumptions

• Single-tier salary-based match (rate × eligible deferral up to a % of salary)
• No vesting, true-up, or annual dollar match caps

Known omissions

• Not tax, legal, investment, or lending advice. Confirm material decisions with qualified professionals.
• 2026 IRS contribution limits ($24,500 elective deferral; $8,000 catch-up age 50+; $11,250 catch-up age 60–63; $72,000 combined annual additions under §415(c), subject to applicable rules) — confirm plan documents; some tools enforce elective-deferral and §415(c) caps while others are estimate-only
• Employer match annual caps, true-up provisions, and vesting schedules
• Plan administrative fees and fund expense ratios unless a fee field is provided
• Inflation adjustment of future dollars (nominal dollars only unless stated)
• Income tax on withdrawals (pre-tax vs Roth treatment)
• Required minimum distributions (RMDs) and early withdrawal penalties

Test cases (automated)

• 50% of first 6% on $100k at 6% deferral → $3,000 employer match
• 3% deferral leaves match on the table vs full 6% cap

Version & last verified

Logic version 1.0. Content and formulas last verified 2026-09-12.