Retired in America

Your Guide to a Confident Retirement

  • Home
  • Personal finance
  • Retirement Life
  • Saving & Spending

11 Worrying 401(K) Mistakes That Will Derail Your Retirement Plans

March 3, 2021 · Personal finance

Ignore Matching Contributions

There’s a reason why various companies try to win over new employees with generous benefits packages, and one of the biggest perks they could offer are bigger matching contributions. These are different all across the board, so it’s important for you to know how your employer plans on matching your contributions.

For example, one employer might watch 50% of your contribution up to 8% of your salary while another might match 100% of your contributions up to 5% of your salary. By ignoring these you’ll essentially ignore free money.

If, for example, your annual salary at a company sits at $50,000, if your employee offers to match half of your contributions up to 6% of your salary, you could stand to gain $1,500 in what is essentially free money!

Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Share this article

Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Email

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Search

Latest Posts

  • Illustration of a mountain valley town with houses, a clock tower, a wooden directional sign, and lupines at sunrise. 15 Scenic and Affordable Mountain Towns to Retire In
  • An older man with drafting tools overlooks a landscape labeled with ages 60, 70, and 80 along mountain ridges. 401(k) Mistakes Retirees in Their 80s Wish They'd Avoided
  • An older couple sits on the tailgate of a pickup truck holding mugs and overlooking a small valley town at sunset. 8 States Where $250,000 Is Enough for a Comfortable Retirement
  • A smiling senior man in a life jacket paddles a green kayak across a misty lake at sunrise near a wooden dock. 15 Affordable Retirement Towns Near Lakes and Rivers
  • A smiling older man walks a brown Labrador and a black-and-white border collie along a paved park path. 10 Side Gigs for Retirees Who Love Animals
  • Older adults smiling and passing food at an outdoor community dinner in front of a brick town hall at sunset. 11 Affordable Retirement Towns With Active Social Calendars
  • Illustration of an older couple walking past kiosks for pharmacy care, public transit, and residential property savings. 11 Senior Discount Programs Launching or Expanding in 2027
  • Illustration of an open hand catching a gold coin beside a bank vault blueprint against a split city and night sky. 11 Windfalls Retirees Can Receive and How They Are Taxed
  • A senior Asian male baker in a flour-dusted apron arranges fresh sourdough loaves on a bakery counter. The 2027 Social Security Update That Benefits Some Working Retirees
  • A plant grows out of an open government envelope toward a sun reading Saver's Match $1,000 in a landscape. IRS Notices Are Going Out About a $1,000 Retirement Match – Are You Eligible?

Newsletter

Get retirement planning tips, savings strategies, and lifestyle insights delivered to your inbox.

Related Articles

5 Things You Need To Do if You Want To Retire at 62

Figure out what you’ll do with your time – Although it may seem hard to…

Read More →

5 Major Financial Decisions Most Retirees Wish They Could Change

Draft a Detailed Financial Plan Every successful outcome relies on a good plan. It’s the…

Read More →
An older man and woman seated at a wooden table reviewing printed documents together in a sunlit living room.

9 Signs You Should Talk to an Elder Law Attorney

Learn the 9 vital signs you should consult an elder law attorney to protect your…

Read More →
A senior woman looking thoughtfully at her phone in a bright, modern home office.

6 Social Security Scams You Need to Pay Attention to

Protect your retirement income by learning how to spot, avoid, and report the six most…

Read More →

7 Important Changes to Social Security in 2022

Beneficiaries are getting their biggest “raise” in nearly four decades  Beneficiaries are getting their biggest…

Read More →
A senior man sits at a wooden table reviewing a Social Security Administration statement with a pen and notebook.

Why So Few Retirees Qualify for Social Security’s Biggest Possible Monthly Check

Learn why less than 1% of retirees qualify for the maximum $5,181 Social Security benefit…

Read More →
Watercolor illustration of an expanding file organizer with folders labeled Living Trust, Directives, and Deeds on a desk.

9 Legal Papers Every Retiree Should Update This Year

Discover the 9 legal papers every retiree should update this year to protect family wealth,…

Read More →

Divorcing in Retirement? Here Are 15 Ways To Safeguard Your Financial Future

A senior wearing a wedding ring uses a calculator and tablet to determine their total…

Read More →

6 Differing Retirement Goals You Need to Balance Out ASAP

1. Return on investment and inflation Is it wise to simply convert your assets to…

Read More →
Retired in America

Your Guide to a Confident Retirement

Inedit Agency S.R.L.
Bucharest, Romania

contact@retiredinamerica.com

Trust & Legal

About Us

Editorial Policy

Advertiser Disclosure

Frequently Asked Questions

Contact Us

Disclaimer

Terms and Conditions

Privacy Policy

Subscribe

Unsubscribe

Categories

  • Personal finance
  • Retirement Life
  • Saving & Spending

© 2026 Retired in America. All rights reserved.