GITNUX MARKETDATA REPORT 2024

Statistics About The Average Employer 401K Match

Highlights: Average Employer 401K Match Statistics

  • The average employer 401K match in the U.S. is 4.7%.
  • Nearly 50% of employers who offer a 401K match have a dollar-for-dollar plan.
  • Only 13% of 401K plans have a match of less than dollar-for-dollar.
  • Among mid-sized employees, 89.1% received some form of employer match.
  • 36% of employers providing a 401K match contribute a flat percentage regardless of the amount an employee contributes.
  • In 2020, nearly 5% of employers suspended their 401K match due to the pandemic.
  • Over 80% of employers match contributions to a 401K.
  • On average, companies contribute 2.7% of an employee’s annual salary to their 401K.
  • 97% of nonprofit organizations contribute to an employer match or other contributions.
  • Companies with fewer than 50 employees give a 401K match on average of 3.5%.
  • The median employer match is 3% among employees who have an employer match.
  • 59% of Americans leave part of their employer's 401k match on the table.
  • The most common match level is 3% among employers who provide a 401K match.
  • The average employer 401K match rate for small businesses is 3.5%.
  • 12% of employers suspended or reduced their match during the 2008-2009 recession.

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Understanding 401K plans and the benefits they offer is crucial for individuals planning for retirement. One of the key components to consider is the employer match, which can significantly impact an employee’s retirement savings. In this blog post, we will explore the average employer 401K match statistics, providing valuable insights into industry trends and helping employees make informed decisions about their financial future. Whether you are already enrolled in a 401K plan or considering joining one, these statistics will shed light on the level of support employers typically provide and the potential impact on your retirement savings. So let’s delve into the fascinating world of employer 401K match statistics and uncover the patterns and trends that can shape your financial well-being in the long run.

The Latest Average Employer 401K Match Statistics Explained

The average employer 401K match in the U.S. is 4.7%.

The statistic ‘The average employer 401K match in the U.S. is 4.7%’ indicates that on average, employers in the United States contribute 4.7% of their employees’ salaries to their 401K retirement plans. This means that for every dollar an employee contributes to their 401K, their employer will, on average, contribute an additional 4.7 cents. This matching contribution from the employer is a benefit aimed at encouraging employees to save for retirement, as it helps to grow their retirement savings at a faster rate.

Nearly 50% of employers who offer a 401K match have a dollar-for-dollar plan.

This statistic indicates that approximately half of the employers who provide a 401K retirement savings plan also offer a dollar-for-dollar match. In other words, for every dollar an employee contributes to their 401K account, the employer will match that contribution with an equal amount. This type of matching plan is considered to be very beneficial for employees, as it doubles the impact of their savings and encourages them to save more for their retirement.

Only 13% of 401K plans have a match of less than dollar-for-dollar.

The statistic states that only 13% of 401K plans offer a matching contribution from employers that is less than a dollar-for-dollar match. In other words, the majority of 401K plans provide a matching contribution equal to or greater than what employees contribute to their retirement savings. This means that for every dollar an employee contributes to their 401K, 87% of plans will provide an equal or higher amount as a matching contribution from the employer. A dollar-for-dollar match is generally considered more generous and beneficial to employees as it essentially doubles their contributions to their retirement savings.

Among mid-sized employees, 89.1% received some form of employer match.

This statistic indicates that out of the employees who work for mid-sized companies, 89.1% of them received some type of contribution or matching from their employer, usually towards their retirement savings. This could mean that these employees receive additional funds from their employers on top of their own contributions towards their retirement accounts, helping them to save and build wealth for the future.

36% of employers providing a 401K match contribute a flat percentage regardless of the amount an employee contributes.

The statistic ‘36% of employers providing a 401K match contribute a flat percentage regardless of the amount an employee contributes’ means that out of all the employers who offer a 401K match to their employees, 36% of them contribute a fixed percentage of the employee’s salary to their 401K plan, regardless of how much the employee contributes. This implies that the employer’s contribution does not change based on the employee’s contribution rate or the total amount they save, but rather remains consistent at a certain percentage of the employee’s salary.

In 2020, nearly 5% of employers suspended their 401K match due to the pandemic.

The statistic states that in the year 2020, approximately 5% of employers made the decision to suspend their 401K match as a result of the pandemic. A 401K match is a benefit offered by some employers where they contribute a certain percentage of an employee’s salary to their retirement savings plan. The suspension of this match means that for the time being, employers chose not to make these contributions due to the financial challenges caused by the pandemic. This statistic highlights the impact of the global health crisis on employment benefits and suggests the difficulty faced by both employers and employees in maintaining financial stability during this challenging period.

Over 80% of employers match contributions to a 401K.

The statistic “Over 80% of employers match contributions to a 401K” indicates that a majority of employers, specifically more than 80%, offer a matching program for their employees’ contributions to their 401K retirement plans. This means that when employees contribute a certain percentage of their salary to their 401K, their employer will also contribute an equal or partial amount to the same account. The high percentage of employers offering this benefit highlights the prevalence of this type of retirement plan incentive, which aims to support employees in saving for their future by providing additional funds towards their retirement savings.

On average, companies contribute 2.7% of an employee’s annual salary to their 401K.

The statistic “On average, companies contribute 2.7% of an employee’s annual salary to their 401K” means that, on average, employers allocate 2.7% of their employees’ annual salary towards their 401K retirement savings plan. This contribution is made by the company and is separate from an employee’s own contributions. The 401K is a voluntary retirement savings plan offered by employers in the United States, and this statistic indicates that employers generally contribute a certain percentage of an employee’s salary towards it, helping them build their retirement savings over time.

97% of nonprofit organizations contribute to an employer match or other contributions.

The statistic “97% of nonprofit organizations contribute to an employer match or other contributions” suggests that the majority (97%) of nonprofit organizations engage in some form of contribution matching or other financial contributions to their employees. This means that these organizations go beyond just offering a basic salary or wages and actively participate in providing additional financial support to their employees, such as matching their retirement savings contributions or offering other forms of financial assistance. This statistic highlights the prevalent practice of nonprofit organizations investing in their employees’ financial well-being and potentially attracting and retaining talent through attractive benefit packages.

Companies with fewer than 50 employees give a 401K match on average of 3.5%.

The statistic indicates that, on average, companies with less than 50 employees provide a 401K match of 3.5%. A 401K match refers to the amount of money that an employer contributes to an employee’s retirement savings plan, based on the employee’s own contribution. In this case, it suggests that these smaller companies typically provide a 3.5% matching contribution to their employees’ 401K accounts. This statistic offers insight into the retirement benefits offered by small businesses and gives a general idea of the financial commitment made by these companies towards their employees’ retirement savings.

The median employer match is 3% among employees who have an employer match.

This statistic indicates that among employees who receive an employer match, the median (or middle) percentage of their salary that is matched by their employer is 3%. The employer match refers to a contribution made by an employer to an employee’s retirement savings, typically in the form of a matching contribution based on the employee’s own contribution. The median value of 3% implies that half of the employees who receive an employer match have a match percentage higher than 3%, while the other half have a match percentage lower than 3%. This statistic provides insight into the typical level of employer matching contributions within a specific group of employees.

59% of Americans leave part of their employer’s 401k match on the table.

The statistic “59% of Americans leave part of their employer’s 401k match on the table” indicates that a significant majority, specifically 59%, of individuals in the United States do not take full advantage of the matching contributions provided by their employers in their 401k retirement plans. This means that they are not contributing enough to their retirement savings to fully maximize the additional funds that could be offered by their employer. By leaving part of the employer’s match “on the table,” individuals are essentially missing out on an opportunity to save more for retirement and potentially improve their financial security in the future.

The most common match level is 3% among employers who provide a 401K match.

This statistic suggests that among employers who offer a 401K match, the most frequently observed matching rate is 3%. In other words, a significant portion of these employers provide a match equal to 3% of their employees’ contributions to their 401K plans. This finding implies that 3% is the most popular match level among these employers, indicating a common practice in the industry.

The average employer 401K match rate for small businesses is 3.5%.

The average employer 401K match rate for small businesses refers to the percentage of an employee’s salary that an employer contributes to their 401K retirement account. In this case, the average match rate for small businesses is 3.5%. This means that, on average, small businesses contribute 3.5% of their employees’ salary towards their retirement savings. The match rate is an important factor in encouraging employees to save for retirement, as it provides an incentive for them to participate in the 401K program and save more for their future.

12% of employers suspended or reduced their match during the 2008-2009 recession.

The statistic states that during the 2008-2009 recession, 12% of employers took measures to suspend or reduce their match. This means that a significant portion of companies opted to either temporarily halt or decrease their contributions to employees’ retirement plans, typically in the form of matching contributions to employee contributions. This decision by employers reflects the financial challenges faced during that time, as they looked for ways to cut costs and navigate through the economic downturn. This statistic highlights the impact of the recession on retirement benefits and the financial well-being of employees.

Conclusion

In conclusion, analyzing average employer 401K match statistics provides valuable insights into the landscape of employee benefits and retirement planning. The data highlights the varying levels of support provided by employers and the impact it can have on employees’ financial well-being in the long run. It is encouraging to see that the majority of employers are offering some form of match, indicating an understanding of the importance of retirement savings. However, there is still room for improvement, as the average match falls below the recommended contribution levels suggested by financial experts. As individuals, it is essential to take advantage of the matching funds available and contribute as much as possible towards our retirement goals. By understanding the statistics and being proactive, we can make informed decisions about our 401K investments and ensure a secure financial future.

References

0. – https://www.www.marketwatch.com

1. – https://www.www.thebalance.com

2. – https://www.www.shrm.org

3. – https://www.www.financialexpress.com

4. – https://www.www.bloomberg.com

5. – https://www.www.judydiamond.com

6. – https://www.www.benefitnews.com

7. – https://www.www.principal.com

8. – https://www.www.plansponsor.com

9. – https://www.www.workplace.schwab.com

10. – https://www.www.cnbc.com

11. – https://www.www.hrdive.com

How we write our statistic reports:

We have not conducted any studies ourselves. Our article provides a summary of all the statistics and studies available at the time of writing. We are solely presenting a summary, not expressing our own opinion. We have collected all statistics within our internal database. In some cases, we use Artificial Intelligence for formulating the statistics. The articles are updated regularly.

See our Editorial Process.

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