# Employer Match

*Retirement & Benefits — Finicade finance glossary*

An employer match is money your employer adds to your retirement account based on what you contribute — commonly 50% or 100% up to a percentage of salary. It's an immediate 50–100% return, unmatched by any investment, which makes contributing at least to the full match the clearest decision in personal finance. Front-loading contributions early in the year can accidentally forfeit later matches at employers that match per pay period.

**Formula:** `Match value = Your contribution × Match rate (up to the cap)`

**Also known as:** company match, matching contribution, free money

**Related terms:** [401(k)](https://finicade.com/glossary/401k), [Vesting](https://finicade.com/glossary/vesting), [Contribution Limit](https://finicade.com/glossary/contribution-limit), [Auto-Enrolment](https://finicade.com/glossary/auto-enrolment), [Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)](https://finicade.com/glossary/restricted-stock-units)

Source: https://finicade.com/glossary/employer-match