Depending on the terms of your employer's 401(k) plan, catch-up contributions made to 401(k)s or other qualified retirement savings plans can be matched by employer contributions; however, the matching of catch-up contributions is not required. Also, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) limits the total amount of annual contributions to 401(k)s by both the employee and employer.
As a result, it's important to understand the rules and restrictions regarding contributing to 401(k)s and whether a catch-up contribution will be matched or not.
Key Takeaways
- Many employers match 401(k) retirement plan contributions made by employees, up to a certain percentage of their salary.
- The maximum amount that an employee under the age of 50 can contribute to a 401(k) is $22,500 for 2023 and $23,000 for 2024.
- Catch-up contributions of an additional $7,500 are available to workers aged 50 and older for 2023 and 2024.
- Catch-up contributions can be matched but are often subject to maximum caps outlined in the plan.
What Is Retirement Plan Matching?
Your employer can match your contributions to your qualified retirement plan using various methods. The employer could contribute a set amount each year or decide not to match at all, depending on the terms of the plan.
Typically, employers match a percentage of employee contributions, up to a certain portion of the total salary. Occasionally, employers may elect to match employee contributions up to a certain dollar amount, regardless of employee compensation.
If an employer elects to match employee contributions—or deferrals—it is generally based on a calculation that limits the total amount that the employer is required to contribute. For example, an employer might match 50% of employee contributions up to 6% of their annual compensation. In other words, the employee would contribute 6% of their salary while the employer would provide a match in the amount of 3% of the employee's salary.
Matching contributions to a 401(k) from your employer are generally limited by a calculation derived from the employee’s salary and contribution amounts.
How Catch-up Contribution MatchingIsHandled
The IRS allows plan participants age 50 and older to make annual catch-up contributions to encourage those nearing retirement to bulk up their savings. For 2023, the allowable catch-up contribution for 401(k) plans is $7,500 per year. For 2024, it remains the same at $7,500; however, catch-up contributions can only be made by employees who have maximized their traditional salary-deferral contributions.
Contribution Limits
The maximum amount that an individual plan participant can contribute to a 401(k) is $22,500 for 2023 and $23,000 for 2024. For an employee's catch-up contribution to be qualified for a match by their employer, the employee would need to contribute the maximum amount first.
The employer's 401(k) maximum contribution limit on any match is slightly higher, at $43,500 for 2023 and $46,000 for 2024. As a result, the combined maximum amount that could be contributed to your401(k) planbetween both you and your employer is $66,000 ($22,500 + $43,500) in 2023 and $69,000 ($23,000 + $46,000) in 2024. This means that your employer can potentially contribute much more than an individual to a 401(k), though this does not usually happen.
Catch-up Contribution
Employees aged 50 and older can contribute an additional $7,500 in 2023 and 2024, for a total employee contribution of $30,000 for 2023 ($22,500 + $7,500) and $30,500 for 2024 ($23,000 + $7,500).
As a result, the maximum contribution amount for those aged 50 and over—including from the employer—can be $73,500 ($43,500 + $30,000) in 2023 and $76,500 ($46,000 + $30,500) in 2024.
However, if your plan allows for employer matching of catch-up contributions, the total amount of employer funds that can be contributed is still subject to the matching rules specified by your plan. In other words, the employer might set a dollar-amount limit or cap for the total amount that they'll match and contribute.
Whether 401(k) contributions come from the employee or employer, all contributions are subject to theannual contribution limit dictated by the IRS.
Example of Catch-up Contribution Matching
Let's say, as an example, an employee who's over 50 years old earns $50,000 per year. The employer has offered a 50% match and established a maximum amount of $3,000 that the employer will contribute in one year.
The employee wants to make a catch-up contribution and, as a result, needs to contribute at least $23,000 to be eligible in 2024. If the employee contributes $23,000, the employer's match based on the percentage would be $11,500 or 50% of $23,000; however, the employer would have already hit the $3,000 limit and, therefore, would not be matching anything beyond the $3,000 already contributed.
On the other hand, let's say the employer had a generous matching program and didn't have a $3,000 maximum match but instead paid up to the $46,000 employer limit for 2024. The catch-up contributions would be matched since the employee's total contributions for 2024 would be $30,500 (or $23,000 + $7,500), and the total match would equal $15,250 for the year.
What Is a Good 401(k) Match From an Employer?
401(k) matches vary by employer. Some employers choose not to match while others do match. Among those who match, some choose to match a higher percentage while others choose lower percentages. When deciding between jobs, it's important to take a look at your entire benefits package, including the matching component of any retirement plan.
According to Vanguard, in 2021, 49% of plans had matching while 36% had matching and nonmatching contributions. In regards to how much matching, 71% of plans offered a single-tier match formula, such as $0.50 per dollar on 6% of pay. Twenty-two percent of plans offered a multi-tier match formula, such as $1.00 per dollar on the first 3% of pay.
How Much Should I Contribute to My 401(k) With an Employer Match?
The amount one should contribute to a 401(k) will differ for every individual depending on their circ*mstances. If your employer offers a 401(k) match, experts recommend contributing at least enough to receive the match. For simplicity, assume that your employer matches every dollar you contribute up to $10,000. It would be recommended then to contribute at least $10,000. Your employer would then also contribute $10,000, for a total amount of $20,000.
What Are the 401(k) Contribution Limits?
For 2023, an employee can contribute $22,500 to their 401(k). For 2024, the amount is $23,000. If you are 50 or older, you can contribute an additional $7,500 in 2023 and 2024.
The Bottom Line
The matching of catch-up contributions is not required for a 401(k); in fact, matching is not necessarily required for regular contributions either, and the match amount is always decided by the company. Depending on the employer's terms regarding the 401(k) plan offered, catch-up contributions can technically be matched if the employer contributes up to the amount allowed by the IRS.
