What's a good 401(k) employer match?

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Close up of a 401(k) statement.
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Some employees saving for retirement in 401(k) plans can have the added benefit of employer matching contributions to increase their overall savings. Most employers offer between 3.00% and 4.99% of their employee's pay as their match, according to data from Vanguard

Read more about 401(k) employer matching.

Maximum value of employer match (percentage of pay) Plans offering match Participants receiving match
.01%-.99% <.5% <.5%
1.00%–1.99% 5% 14%
2.00%–2.99% 7% 4%
3.00%–3.99% 29% 25%
4.00%–4.99% 28% 23%
5.00%–5.99% 10% 11%
6.00%–6.99% 13% 10%
7.00%+ 8% 13%
Necessary employee contribution for maximum match (percentage of pay Plans offering match Participants receiving match
1.00%–1.99% 1% 6%
2.00%–2.99% 1% <.5%
3.00%–3.99% 6% 2%
4.00%–4.99% 13% 12%
5.00%–5.99% 22% 20%
6.00%–6.99% 43% 46%
7.00%–7.99% 2% 1%
8.00%–8.99% 4% 4%
9.00%–9.99% <0.5% <0.5%
10.00%+ 7% 8%
Chart showing what's a good 401(k) employer match
Chart showing what's a good 401(k) employer match
Chart showing what's a good 401(k) employer match
Chart showing what's a good 401(k) employer match
Chart showing what's a good 401(k) employer match
Chart showing what's a good 401(k) employer match
Chart showing what's a good 401(k) employer match
Chart showing what's a good 401(k) employer match
Chart showing what's a good 401(k) employer match
Chart showing what's a good 401(k) employer match
Chart showing what's a good 401(k) employer match
Chart showing what's a good 401(k) employer match
Chart showing what's a good 401(k) employer match
Chart showing what's a good 401(k) employer match
Chart showing what's a good 401(k) employer match
Chart showing what's a good 401(k) employer match
Chart showing what's a good 401(k) employer match
Chart showing what's a good 401(k) employer match
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