How much do I need to contribute to my 401(k) to get the full employer match?

Read your plan's match formula, which is usually stated as a percentage of pay up to a cap. A very common structure is 100% of the first 3% you contribute plus 50% of the next 2%, meaning you must defer at least 5% of your salary to capture the entire match. Another common form is 50% on the first 6%, requiring a 6% deferral.

Contributing less than the threshold leaves free money on the table, which the plan-provider Vanguard has repeatedly identified as one of the most common and costly 401(k) mistakes. Set your deferral to at least the match cap before prioritizing any other investing goal. Use the Retirement Planner at wealthserene.com/tools/retirement-planner to project the long-term value of never missing the match.