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Wednesday, March 29, 2023
401(k) matching example: Potential growth over time
Key takeaways
If you’re able, meeting your company match is generally a good idea. There’s a reason a 401(k) match is often referred to as “free money.”
In an effort to help strengthen the financial health and wellness of their workforces, many employers offer financial benefits for their employees. Some common types of financial wellness benefits are: bonuses, paid time off, retirement account, and a 401(k) match.
For the purposes of this article, we’re going to provide an example of 401(k) matching and demonstrate why it’s important to try and meet your company match.
Perhaps not surprisingly, not everyone meets their 401(k) match. In fact, according to data from our recent Empowering America’s Financial Journey annual report, 29% of people aren’t taking full advantage of their company match.1
If you’re able, meeting your company match is generally a good idea. There’s a reason a 401(k) match is often referred to as “free money.” You don’t have to do anything to earn it other than contribute to your retirement plan; if you contribute to your 401(k), your employer also contributes funds. Knowing how your match works is a key piece of understanding your 401(k) plan.
If your retirement plan offers matching, many companies will typically match 50% or 100% of your contributions up to a certain percentage of your salary. Employer matches are typically made each payroll period, but some employers may make them annually instead.
Example of a partial match: 50% of what you contribute up to 6% of your salary. In this scenario, if you earn $100,000 per year and you contribute 6% of your salary, or $6,000, your employer will match and contribute half of that, or $3,000.
Example of a full match: 100% of what you contribute up to 6% of your salary. In this scenario, if you earn $100,000 per year and contribute 6% of your salary ($6,000), your employer will match and contribute the same amount, or $6,000 in this case.
Read more: How does 401(k) matching work?
So now that you understand how a 401(k) match generally works, and why it’s often referred to as “free money,” let’s look at how this could potentially affect your retirement savings over time.
The above examples are all about meeting (or even going beyond) your company match. But you don’t have to stop there. Remember, the IRS sets annual contribution limits for 401(k)s and other retirement accounts.
If you were to “max out” your 401(k) in 2023, that would mean you would contribute the IRS contribution limit of $22,500. And thanks to catch-up contributions, employees age 50 or older can contribute up to $30,000 to their 401(k). Keep in mind, this contribution limit is separate from any potential company contributions (like a 401(k) match).
But what if your employer doesn’t offer a match? You can still aim to contribute as much as you can to your 401(k) – and potentially even max it out. Here’s why you might want to consider it:
1 Empower, Empowering America’s Financial Journey, November 2022.
IMPORTANT: The projections or other information generated on the website by the investment analysis tool regarding the likelihood of various investment outcomes are hypothetical in nature, do not reflect actual investment results and are not guarantees of future results. The results may vary with each use and over time.
Allison Miller is a personal finance content contributor for Empower. A former CBS News producer and media relations professional, she’s covered topics ranging from healthcare reform, space exploration, presidential elections and more.
The content contained in this blog post is intended for general informational purposes only and is not meant to constitute legal, tax, accounting or investment advice. You should consult a qualified legal or tax professional regarding your specific situation. No part of this blog, nor the links contained therein is a solicitation or offer to sell securities. Compensation for freelance contributions not to exceed $1,250. Third party data is obtained from sources believed to be reliable; however, Empower cannot guarantee the accuracy, timeliness, completeness or fitness of this data for any particular purpose. Third party links are provided solely as a convenience and do not imply an affiliation, endorsement or approval by Empower of the contents on such third party websites. Certain sections of this blog may contain forward-looking statements that are based on our reasonable expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions. Past performance is not a guarantee of future return, nor is it indicative of future performance. Investing involves risk. The value of your investment will fluctuate and you may lose money. Advisory services are provided for a fee by either Personal Capital Advisors Corporation ("PCAC") or Empower Advisory Group, LLC (“EAG”) depending on your specific investment advisory services agreement. Both PCAC and EAG are registered investment advisers with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and subsidiaries of Empower Annuity Insurance Company of America. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. © 2023 Empower Annuity Insurance Company of America. All rights reserved. “EMPOWER” and all associated logos, and product names are trademarks of Empower Annuity Insurance Company of America.
