401k

Q: Which companies have the highest 401(k) match?

Among large tech employers, Meta, Google, and Microsoft offer the richest widespread formula: a 50% match on everything you contribute up to the IRS employee limit, worth up to $12,250 in 2026, fully vested immediately. Google alternatively matches 100% of your first $3,000 if that is greater. Browse the full per-company list on this page.

Q: What is the 401(k) contribution limit for 2026?

The 2026 employee limit is $24,500. Workers 50 and older can add an $8,000 catch-up ($32,500 total), and workers aged 60–63 can add $11,250 ($35,750 total). The combined employee-plus-employer cap is $72,000 before catch-up contributions.

Q: What does a "50% match on the first 6% of salary" actually pay?

Your employer adds 50 cents for every dollar you contribute, up to contributions equal to 6% of your base salary. At the $165,000 US software-engineer median base, that caps at $4,950 per year of employer money — and you need to contribute $9,900 yourself to collect all of it.

Q: Does the employer match count toward my $24,500 limit?

No. Only your own pre-tax and Roth contributions count toward the $24,500 employee limit. Employer matching counts toward the separate $72,000 combined cap for 2026 — which is also the room used by after-tax contributions in plans that allow a mega backdoor Roth.

Q: Do 401(k) matches vest immediately?

It varies by company. Meta, Google, and Microsoft matches vest immediately, while other employers use cliff or graded schedules of up to 3–4 years — leaving before vesting forfeits the unvested match. Check the company’s entry on this page or its benefits page for the reported schedule.

Financial & Retirement Updated August 17, 2026

A 401(k) match is money your employer contributes to your retirement account based on what you contribute. For 2026 the IRS lets employees contribute up to $24,500, and the strongest large-tech formula — a 50% match on everything you contribute, used by Meta, Google, and Microsoft — is worth up to $12,250 per year in employer money. A more common formula across the companies Levels.fyi tracks is a 50% match on the first 6% of base salary.

401(k) key numbers for 2026

2026 employee contribution limit: $24,500 (up from $23,500 in 2025)
Catch-up, age 50+: extra $8,000 (total $32,500); ages 60–63 get $11,250 (total $35,750)
Combined employee + employer cap: $72,000 (IRC 415(c), before catch-up)
Compensation cap for match math: $360,000 (IRC 401(a)(17))
Richest common tech match: 50% of all contributions — up to $12,250/yr at Meta, Google, and Microsoft, all with immediate vesting

At the US software-engineer median base salary of $165,000, a 50% match on the first 6% of salary is worth $4,950 a year. A full-limit 50% match like Meta’s or Google’s is worth up to $12,250 — about 6% of the $201,000 US median software-engineer total compensation, added every year before any investment growth.

Salary figures: Levels.fyi verified submissions, US software engineers, trailing 12 months. IRS limits: 2026 tax year. Company formulas reflect employee-reported data on Levels.fyi and may change — see each company’s page for the latest.

Companies that provide 401k

Google

50% match on employee's contribution up to the IRS employee limit ($24,500 in 2026). Google will match up to the greater of (a) 100% of your contributions up to $3,000 or (b) 50% of your contributions up to the IRS limit per calendar year. Every dollar of the match is fully vested

Frequently asked questions

Which companies have the highest 401(k) match?

Among large tech employers, Meta, Google, and Microsoft offer the richest widespread formula: a 50% match on everything you contribute up to the IRS employee limit, worth up to $12,250 in 2026, fully vested immediately. Google alternatively matches 100% of your first $3,000 if that is greater. Browse the full per-company list on this page.

What is the 401(k) contribution limit for 2026?

The 2026 employee limit is $24,500. Workers 50 and older can add an $8,000 catch-up ($32,500 total), and workers aged 60–63 can add $11,250 ($35,750 total). The combined employee-plus-employer cap is $72,000 before catch-up contributions.

What does a "50% match on the first 6% of salary" actually pay?

Your employer adds 50 cents for every dollar you contribute, up to contributions equal to 6% of your base salary. At the $165,000 US software-engineer median base, that caps at $4,950 per year of employer money — and you need to contribute $9,900 yourself to collect all of it.

Does the employer match count toward my $24,500 limit?

No. Only your own pre-tax and Roth contributions count toward the $24,500 employee limit. Employer matching counts toward the separate $72,000 combined cap for 2026 — which is also the room used by after-tax contributions in plans that allow a mega backdoor Roth.

Do 401(k) matches vest immediately?

It varies by company. Meta, Google, and Microsoft matches vest immediately, while other employers use cliff or graded schedules of up to 3–4 years — leaving before vesting forfeits the unvested match. Check the company’s entry on this page or its benefits page for the reported schedule.

Explore related data

Report a correction

Verified Salaries Newsletter

Compensation from verified offer letters & W2 statements emailed to you bi-weekly! Learn More →