Still Haven't Claimed Your Full 401(k) Match for 2026? 3 Things to Do Now
Key Points
You will likely get $1 or $0.50 for every dollar you put into your 401(k), up to a certain percentage of your income.
Raise your 401(k) deferrals as much as possible for the rest of 2026.
Start planning how you'll claim your 2027 401(k) match right now to give yourself better odds of getting the whole thing.
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Your 401(k) match for 2026 is still on the table, but only for a few more weeks. If you don't claim it in time, you'll miss the opportunity to earn that money. It might not seem like a huge loss now, but those hundreds or thousands of dollars could easily grow into tens of thousands by retirement, particularly if you have a few decades until you leave the workforce.
You may not have enough time to claim the full match if you're just getting started now, but you might still be able to claim a bit of it. Here's what you need to do.
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1. Figure out how much of your match you still need to claim
Your employer will have its own formula for determining your 401(k) match. Usually, you get $0.50 or $1 from your employer for every dollar of your own money you put into the account, up to a certain percentage of your income. Check with your HR department if you're not sure how your 401(k) matching formula works, or look this information up in your online 401(k) account.
Once you know the total amount you must set aside to get your full match, subtract your 2026 contributions to date to determine how much you still need to set aside. This information should be in your online 401(k) account. Your pay stubs should also be able to tell you.
2. Raise your 401(k) deferrals as much as possible for the rest of the year
Figure out how much you can afford to set aside each pay period for the remainder of the year, and do your best to increase your 401(k) deferrals. Even if you only set aside an extra $50 per pay period, that could still be enough to help you snag a few hundred dollars more before the end of the year.
You may be able to make this change in your online account. If you're not sure how to do this, contact your HR department.
3. Start planning ahead for 2027
Now's a great time to start figuring out how much you need to save for 2027 to claim your full 401(k) match, too. You'll be able to get by saving less per month because you'll have the full year to claim that match.
If you're getting a raise next year, keep in mind that you may need to set aside more to claim your full match. Remember to adjust your deferral rate before January to account for this.
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