401(k) Match and True-Up Calculator
See how reaching the annual contribution limit early affects your employer match, with and without an annual true-up.
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2026 payroll and plan terms
Annual contribution comparison
Confirm matching periods, eligible pay, bonus treatment and true-up eligibility in your plan document. The level rate spreads the same planned employee dollars over the full year; payroll rounding may leave a small difference.
Cumulative contributions during payroll
Paycheck schedule
| Period | Gross pay | Employee | Match | Employee to date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $10,000.00 | $5,000.00 | $600.00 | $5,000.00 |
| 2 | $10,000.00 | $5,000.00 | $600.00 | $10,000.00 |
| 3 | $10,000.00 | $5,000.00 | $600.00 | $15,000.00 |
| 4 | $10,000.00 | $5,000.00 | $600.00 | $20,000.00 |
| 5 | $10,000.00 | $4,500.00 | $600.00 | $24,500.00 |
| 6 | $10,000.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $24,500.00 |
| 7 | $10,000.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $24,500.00 |
| 8 | $10,000.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $24,500.00 |
| 9 | $10,000.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $24,500.00 |
| 10 | $10,000.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $24,500.00 |
| 11 | $10,000.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $24,500.00 |
| 12 | $10,000.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $24,500.00 |
How it works›
2026 limits and plan-specific matching. Models a full year of equal pay and a single flat match tier. Employee deferrals stop at the 2026 age-based limit less deferrals elsewhere. Matching uses each paycheck's contribution and eligible pay; eligible compensation stops at the annual compensation cap. The annual formula may restore a missed payroll match only when your plan provides a true-up and you satisfy its conditions. The additions limit excludes catch-up deferrals. No bonuses, profit sharing, after-tax additions, vesting, tax savings or employment changes are modeled. High earners may need Roth catch-up deferrals in 2026; that changes tax treatment, not this combined contribution limit.IRS: employer matching contributions and plan termsIRS Notice 2025-67: 2026 limits