How Much 401(k) Employer Match Are You Leaving Unclaimed in 2026?

Translate the formula in two stages

First calculate the salary percentage eligible for matching. Then apply the employer’s match percentage. On an $80,000 eligible salary, contributing 6% means an employee contribution of $4,800. A 50% match on that eligible contribution is $2,400.

In this example, increasing the employee rate above 6% increases retirement saving but not the match because the match cap has been reached.

Know the 2026 limits

The 2026 employee elective-deferral limit is $24,500. The general age-50 catch-up is $8,000, while participants aged 60 to 63 can have a higher $11,250 catch-up when eligible. The overall defined-contribution limit is $72,000 before applicable catch-up amounts.

Plan documents control the actual result

Employers can define eligible compensation, matching periods and true-up provisions differently. A plan may match each paycheck, which can make front-loading contributions risky if there is no year-end true-up. Vesting rules can also determine whether employer contributions remain yours after leaving the job.

Match and contribution limit are separate questions

Reaching the full employer match does not mean you have reached the IRS employee deferral limit. Conversely, a high contribution rate can reach the annual deferral limit before the final paycheck. Coordinate the percentage with payroll timing, especially if the plan matches per pay period.

A useful checklist

• Find the exact match percentage and salary cap.
• Confirm what pay counts as eligible compensation.
• Check whether matching occurs per paycheck.
• Ask whether the plan performs an annual true-up.
• Review vesting and the treatment of bonuses.
• Include elective deferrals made to other plans where required.

The calculator estimates the arithmetic. Your plan document and administrator determine the contribution that is actually allowed and matched.

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