Employer discretionary 401(k) match contributions

LAST REVIEWED Jan 24 2024
5 MIN READEditorial Policy

Small to mid-size companies can offer creative and customized options when it comes to retirement benefits. These businesses can focus on setting up specific programs that meet their business needs while also serving to engage their employees. One important offering is a 401(k) retirement plan for employees to invest in. Ideally, an employer would be in a financial situation to make some type of company match for employee’s contributions. However, if the company’s financials can’t support ongoing matching contributions, there are other options.

One option is a discretionary contribution. As described by the IRS, “If the plan document permits, the employer can make contributions other than matching contributions for participants. These contributions are made on behalf of all employees who are plan participants, including participants who choose not to contribute elective deferrals.”

Employers can choose to make discretionary contributions but they are not required every year. They might opt to make contributions based on business performance, or as a way to reward employee performance.

Meet Human Interest’s affordable, full-service 401(k) solution. Click here to get started today.

Start a 401(k) with Human Interest

A Human Interest 401(k) plan can connect directly with your favorite payroll provider and has zero transaction fees.

How does a discretionary 401(k) contribution work?

If the plan document allows, an employer can make contributions other than matching contributions on behalf of all employees who are plan participants.

Why make a discretionary contribution?

There are many reasons an employer might consider making a discretionary contribution, including:

  • Positively impact employee engagement, as this contribution isn’t something they’re expecting.

  • Avoid over-committing to an employer match with a budget-friendly way for small businesses or startups to make a contribution to employees’ 401(k) plans without the commitment of having an ongoing, established company match.

  • Utilize the 401(k) tax benefits which, as with any 401(k) contribution or match, exist for both the employee and employer (see 401(k) benefits for employers).

  • Motivate and incentivize employees based on organizational performance. Based on business results, an employer may opt to make a “profit-sharing” discretionary contribution to all eligible employees, regardless of whether the employees are regularly contributing to their 401(k) investment or not. The most common approach for this type of profit-sharing is a one-time, end-of-year contribution. After the year ends and you figure out your company’s earnings, decide how much you want the company to contribute to each of your employees’ retirement savings, and then make that contribution by March 15th for the previous year.

Discretionary 401(k) match contribution rules

According to the IRS, contributions to all accounts (elective deferrals, employee contributions, employer matching and discretionary contributions and allocations of forfeitures) may not exceed the lesser of 100% of employee compensation or $69,000 for 2024 ($76,500 including catch-up contributions). This is something to be aware of as you consider making any discretionary contributions, especially regarding nondiscrimination testing and the contribution limits for highly compensated employees.

If you’re wondering whether or not it’s worth it, take a look at positive company reviews on Glassdoor reviews about company retirement benefits. You’ll see comments indicating how a 401(k) can signal to employees that a company is invested in their future:

“The company would add a ‘bonus’ employer contribution every year based on the profits made by the company.”

“They match up to the first 5% an employee contributes to their 401(k) and then make a discretionary contribution once a year.”

”It’s a medium match, but they make an annual discretionary contribution.”

These examples are from three random companies, but they serve to illustrate that a discretionary contribution makes a difference for employees. While these contributions aren’t guaranteed and therefore aren’t as likely to encourage employee participation as a regular company match, they do allow employers to contribute to the plan for their employees whenever they can.

Get started with an affordable, full-service 401(k) plan.

Start a 401(k) with Human Interest

A Human Interest 401(k) plan can connect directly with your favorite payroll provider and has zero transaction fees.

We believe that everyone deserves access to a secure financial future, which is why we make it easy to provide a 401(k) to your employees. Human Interest offers a low-cost 401(k) with automated administration, built-in investment education, and integration with leading payroll providers.

Related Articles

Subscribe to our Retirement Roadmap newsletter

Retirement isn’t just a destination. It’s a journey, and we’re here to help you. Our newsletter delivers succinct and timely tips, reviewed by Financial Advisors, to help you navigate the path to financial independence.

By providing your email above or subscribing to our newsletter, you agree to our Privacy Policy. You also elect to receive communications from Human Interest.