401k Match Left on the Table
401k Match Calculator — Free Money Left on the Table
What this calculator does
This calculator shows the immediate raise you are giving up when you do not contribute enough to capture your full employer 401k match.
The math, with a worked example
Matched contribution = min(your contribution, employer match %). Employer match = matched contribution × employer match % × salary. With a $70,000 salary, 4% employer match, and only a 2% contribution, you leave about $1,400 of free employer money on the table each year.
Why this matters
An unclaimed employer match is a voluntary pay cut: contribute 2% against a 4% match on $70,000 and $1,400 of compensation evaporates every year. No investment return required — it's a 100% gain on the day it posts.
Methodology and transparency
Employer match = min(your contribution %, match %) × salary — the model of a straightforward full match up to a cap. The assumption most likely to be wrong is the match structure itself: many plans match 50 cents per dollar, tier the rate, or cap by dollars, and vesting schedules can claw back employer money if you leave early. Your plan document's match formula is the number to enter, not the recruiter's summary. Everything runs in your browser; no data is sent or stored.
Last reviewed: 2026-08-08
Common questions
Is a 401k match really free money?
Yes. It is part of your compensation that you only get if you contribute.
Should I pay off debt before getting the match?
Usually no. A 50% or 100% immediate match almost always beats high-interest debt. And pulling contributions back out to clear that debt reverses the gain — run the early 401k withdrawal penalty calculator before you touch the balance.
What if my employer match is complicated?
Enter the percentage of your salary your employer matches. Some plans tier the match, so run the calculation for your tier.