Plan-specific retirement contribution scenario
401(k) employer-match capture planner
Estimate a 401(k) employer match from your plan’s entered tier formula, eligible pay, contribution rate, and pay frequency.
Enter the match formula from your plan documents and your own contribution rate. The estimate applies that formula to each paycheck; it does not assume a standard employer match.
Enter the match tiers in your plan
For a formula such as “100% of the first 3% plus 50% of the next 2%,” enter 3 and 100% in Tier 1, then 2 and 50% in Tier 2. Enter zero for an unused second tier.
Enter your plan’s match tiers and contribution rate to see the modeled paycheck and annual amounts.
How the estimate works
For each tier, the tool multiplies the portion of your contribution rate in that tier by the employer match rate you enter. It applies the resulting percentage to annual eligible pay, then divides by the number of paychecks for a level per-paycheck estimate. The gap is the additional employee contribution rate needed to reach the last tier that has a nonzero match.
Match formulas and plan terms vary. The Department of Labor’s sample 401(k) notice illustrates one plan formula: a dollar-for-dollar match on the first 1% of eligible pay and a 50-cent-per-dollar match on the next 5%. Your plan document and current summary plan description control your own formula. IRS rules also set annual limits on employee elective deferrals; this calculator does not check those limits or your plan’s own caps. Sources checked November 3, 2026: Department of Labor sample automatic enrollment and default investment notice and IRS 401(k) contribution limits.
The estimate assumes eligible pay is spread evenly across the paychecks entered and applies the formula independently to each paycheck. It does not model a year-end true-up, bonuses or other excluded compensation, eligibility rules, vesting, contribution limits, employer discretion, or investment growth. Check your plan documents and payroll settings. This is an educational scenario, not individualized tax or investment advice.
Related retirement planning
Estimate one account owner’s Table III distribution from a prior year-end balance with the required minimum distribution calculator; check whether special account rules require another table. Compare Roth and traditional employee contributions under your own tax-rate assumptions with the Roth vs. traditional 401(k) scenario calculator. For personal Social Security benefit estimates, use the Social Security estimate guide to reach official SSA tools. This planner does not estimate retirement income or recommend a contribution level.
How it works
Enter eligible annual pay, your contribution percentage and pay frequency, then copy the matching tiers from your plan documents. The estimate applies those terms evenly across paychecks.
Good to know
Does every 401(k) plan use this match formula?
No. Enter the match tiers and rates from your own plan documents; this calculator does not assume a universal formula.
What does the gap to the match threshold mean?
It is the additional contribution percentage and per-paycheck amount needed to reach the last tier with a nonzero match under the terms entered. It is not a recommendation.
Does this include vesting or a year-end true-up?
No. It applies the entered formula independently to each paycheck and does not model true-ups, vesting, eligibility or other plan-specific rules. Check your plan documents.
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