401(k) Employer Match Calculator
Enter your salary, how much of it you contribute to your 401(k), and your employer's match formula, and this calculator shows the employer match you earn, your total yearly retirement contribution, and how that money could grow over decades. An employer match is effectively free money — this tool helps you see exactly how much you leave on the table by contributing below the full-match threshold.
Your contribution
Employer match formula
Long-run projection
Total contributed per year
$8,000.00
$4,800.00 you + $3,200.00 employer
Employer match (free money)
$3,200.00
4.00% of salary
Projected in 30 yrs
$755,686.29
Contribution detail
This year: you vs employer
Projected balance over 30 yrs
Compare scenarios
Run the same calculation with two or three input sets side by side. Differences are highlighted; every number comes from the same tested formula as the calculator above.
| Input | Scenario A | Scenario B |
|---|---|---|
| Salary | ||
| Contribution Pct | ||
| First Tier Pct | ||
| First Tier Match Pct | ||
| Second Tier Pct | ||
| Second Tier Match Pct | ||
| Growth Rate Pct | ||
| Years |
How it works
Your own contribution is simply salary × contribution percentage. If you earn $80,000 and defer 6%, you put in $4,800 for the year. That is the money that comes out of your paycheck and lands in your 401(k) before your employer adds anything.
The employer match is applied tier by tier, and each tier caps how much of your contribution counts. The common default here is "100% of the first 3% + 50% of the next 2%": the employer fully matches the first 3% of salary you contribute, then adds fifty cents per dollar on the next 2%. At 6% on an $80,000 salary that is 80,000 × (3% × 1.0 + 2% × 0.5) = $3,200. Contribute less than 5% and you forfeit part of that match; contribute more than 5% and the employer match stops growing — the extra is all your own money.
The projection compounds your total annual contribution (employee + employer) as an ordinary annuity: each year's deposit grows at the assumed rate, and the chart shows the balance building over your horizon. It assumes a flat contribution and a constant return, which real markets never deliver — it is an illustration of compounding, not a forecast.
Frequently asked questions
Why should I always contribute enough to get the full match?+
Because the employer match is free money — an immediate, guaranteed return on your contribution that no other investment reliably offers. A "100% of the first 3%" match is a 100% return on that slice of your salary the moment it is deposited. If your plan matches up to 5% of pay and you only contribute 3%, you are turning down a raise you have already been offered. Contributing at least up to the full-match threshold is almost always the first move in retirement saving, ahead of most other options.
Does the employer match belong to me right away?+
Not necessarily. Your own contributions are always 100% yours, but the employer's matching dollars are often subject to a vesting schedule — you may need to stay employed for a set number of years before the match fully belongs to you. Some plans vest immediately, others use "cliff" vesting (0% until a date, then 100%) or "graded" vesting (a rising percentage each year). This calculator shows the match you earn, not the portion that is vested. Check your plan's Summary Plan Description for the exact schedule before counting on the full amount.
My employer's match formula looks different — can I use this?+
Yes. Match formulas vary widely: "100% of the first 3% + 50% of the next 2%," "50% of the first 6%," a flat "100% up to 4%," or a discretionary match set each year. The tier fields let you enter your own percentages and match rates to mirror most common structures. For unusual formulas, safe-harbor rules, true-ups, or profit-sharing, read your plan documents or ask HR — this tool is an educational estimate, not personalized financial or tax advice.