401(k) Employer Match Calculator

Estimate employee contributions, employer match, unclaimed match, and per-paycheck amounts.

Results will appear here.

Planning estimate only, not financial, tax, or legal advice. Verify assumptions and current rules before making decisions.

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How this calculator works

Reviewed July 2026

Formula

Employee annual contribution = eligible salary × employee rate. Matchable rate = the lesser of employee rate and plan match limit. Employer match = salary × matchable rate × employer match percentage. Unclaimed match compares that result with the modeled maximum.

Worked example

On $80,000 salary, contributing 6% with a 50% employer match up to 6% produces $4,800 employee contribution, $2,400 employer match, and $7,200 combined annually.

Assumptions to verify

  • The plan uses one simple match percentage up to one salary-percentage limit.
  • Eligible salary equals the annual salary entered and is evenly distributed across pay periods.
  • Vesting, true-up, annual legal limits, bonuses, plan exclusions, and investment growth are excluded.

Frequently asked questions

What does 50% match up to 6% mean?

The modeled employer contributes fifty cents per eligible dollar you contribute, on contributions up to 6% of eligible salary.

Why might payroll results differ?

Plans can use per-pay-period matching, annual true-ups, eligible-pay definitions, caps, and vesting schedules not modeled here.

Does this enforce annual contribution limits?

No. Limits change and individual rules vary; verify current limits and plan terms before changing payroll elections.

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