How Much can My Employer Contribute to my 401K in 2022?

Maximum Employer 401K Contributions

I’d like to clear up a very common 401K misconception surrounding maximum contribution limits.

Question: The individual IRS maximum 401K contribution limit is $20,500 for 2022 ($27,000 if you include the catch-up contribution for those age 50+). But what exactly does this mean? Does this mean that if my employer matches my contribution dollar-for-dollar that I can only contribute half of the maximum?

Answer: No. The IRS maximum 401K contribution is how much you can personally contribute to your 401K during a calendar year. Your employer’s maximum 401K contribution limit is entirely up to them – but the max on total contributions (employee plus employer) to your 401K is $61,000 in 2022 (or 100% of your salary, whichever is less). If age 50+, it goes up to $67,500 in 2022, with the catch-up contribution.

Technically, this means that your employer could contribute up to $40,500 in 2022, separate from your maximum personal contribution. Most employers do not contribute that much, however, and through after-tax contributions and an after-tax to Roth conversion, or “mega backdoor Roth“, it’s possible for you to contribute more than the individual contribution maximum in a given year (if your employer allows it).

Employer 401K Maximum Contribution Limit Discussion:

• What is your employer’s match?
• Did you think that your maximum contribution was your personal plus your employer’s?
• Are you going to max your 401K contributions this year?

Related Posts:

• What if you Over-Contribute to a 401K?
• Your Employer’s 401K Match is Not a Suggestion or Maximum
• 2021 & 2022 Maximum IRA Contributions
• 401K Matching