Your 401(k) match is part of your salary
If your employer matches and you don't contribute, you're refusing free money.
Last reviewed: · Reviewed by the Money Scale editorial team
Many US employers offer a 401(k) 'match': they add money to your retirement account based on what you contribute. A common setup is '100% match up to 5% of salary' — every $1 you put in (up to 5% of pay), they add $1.
$3,000/yr
Free money on a $60K salary
At a full 5% match — but only if YOU contribute the full 5%.
Some companies require you to stay a few years before the matched portion is fully yours. You always own YOUR contributions immediately, so never let vesting alone stop you from grabbing the match.
Takeaway
Log into your benefits portal today. Set your contribution to at least the full match — a guaranteed instant return no other investment beats.
Your employer offers '100% match up to 5% of salary'. You contribute 3%. What happens?