💡 Don’t leave 'free money' on the table.

Contributing an insufficient amount to maximize the employer match compared to getting the maximum employer match. This assumes a 100% match of $200/mth, so $400/mth with the employer match.

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If your employer offers a 401(k) match, 403(b) match, HSA contribution, or employee stock purchase program — that’s money they’re willing to give you. But only if you participate. The majority of employer retirement plans have a matching or partial matching program, where the company will add a certain amount or percent to a 401(k) or 403(b) plan, based on the employee's contributions.

It’s shocking how many people skip it:

• Based on Vanguard data, ~18% of eligible employees aren’t enrolled in their retirement plan at all. (Bradley, 2025)

• From Empower research, approximately 25% of employees in a 401(k) miss out on the full employer match because they don’t contribute enough. (Piburn, 2025)

For example, if the company offers a 2.5% match up to 5% of income put aside in the 401(k), that is an additional 2.5% being contributed on your behalf. That is a 50% return! If you contribute only 4% of your income, the match could be 2%, thus, you're missing out on receiving the maximum benefit from the company.

⚖️ The downside?

Yes, your paycheck today will be smaller. Contributing 3–5% might feel like a sacrifice when every dollar counts. But this is not just saving — it’s creating another vertical of income for your future self. There are tax implications of the money you contribute (pre or post-tax), and the employer match in the future. You will need to understand that in making the choice to contribute to your program, and how much.

Think of your retirement account as a side business you’re building. Your employer’s match is essentially a silent partner adding capital every month. Over time, that second “income vertical” grows into a stream of future wealth that can support you in retirement.

📈 The upside?

• A 100% match is like an instant 100% return on your money. There aren't many ways to instantly make a 100% return.

• A 50% match (like the example above) is also pretty good for the money that's on the table. You have to be willing to consume less in the present.

• Over 20–30 years, that free money compounds into tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Let's look at the upside of contributing enough to get the full employer match. In this example and the chart above, the company offers a 100% match upto $200/mth of your contribution. Here is the situation:

• You contribute $100/mth, and the employer matches with $100/mth

  • $200/mth invested

• Or you contribute $200/mth, and the employer matches with $200/mth

  • $400/mth invested

• With $200/mth invested, in 30 years with an annual average growth rate of 8%, that grows to ~$298,000.

• With $400/mth invested, in 30 years with an annual average growth rate of 8%, that grows to ~$596,000.

  • That's nearly $300k more!

  • That’s the power of free money + compounding.

🚫 Not taking advantage is like saying “no thanks” to a raise and free money.

✅ First step: log in to your benefits portal today and make sure you’re at least getting the full match.

Future You will thank Present You. If your financial situation allows it, contribute to your retirement account so that the employer contribution is maximized. Ensure you're getting the maximum benefit that is available to you.

To your success.