Retirement Math Most Miss

If your employer matches 6% and you contribute only 3%, you are leaving half your match on the table — often thousands of dollars a year. Over a full career, with compound growth, that missed match can add up to a six-figure loss in untaxed savings.

If the base salary bump is small, negotiate the match cap up or request a higher employer contribution percentage. Some companies stretch the match for senior hires — future-budget money rarely triggers internal-equity pushback.