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Safe Harbor 401(k) Calculator: Estimate Employer Match Costs

A safe harbor 401(k) automatically bypasses IRS nondiscrimination testing, allowing business owners and employees to maximize personal retirement contributions without compliance penalties. Use our calculator below to compare employer costs across basic match, enhanced match, non-elective, and QACA safe harbor formulas—both annually and per pay period.

34%
Match optionsCost to employer
(per year)		Cost to employer
(per pay period)
Basic matching: The company matches 100% of all employee 401(k) contributions, up to 3% of their compensation, plus a 50% match of the next 2% of their compensation.$13,600.00$261.54
Enhanced matching: The company matches at least 100% of all employee 401(k) contributions, up to 4% of their compensation (not to exceed 6% of compensation).$13,600.00$261.54
Non-elective contribution: The company contributes at least 3% of each employee's compensation, regardless of whether employees make contributions.$30,000.00$576.92
Qualified Automatic Contribution Arrangement (QACA): The company matches 100% of all employee 401(k) contributions, up to 1% of their compensation, plus a 50% match of the next 5% of their compensation.$11,900.00$228.85
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Disclosure:

The Safe Harbor Match Calculator and results should not be considered tax or legal advice. The Safe Harbor Match Calculator is intended to illustrate the cost of different employer match options in a Safe Harbor 401(k) plan. The calculator’s results should be considered estimates.

We offer various types of safe harbor 401(k) plans:

  • You can use any of the above matching options on a "per payroll" basis.

  • You can opt for a plan that gives a match only to non-highly compensated employees on an end-of-year basis.

  • Note that a 4% non-elective contribution is also available in addition to the 3% modeled in the calculator above.

You run your business. We run your plan.

Automate plan administration, keep payroll in sync, and reduce compliance risks without taking on a second job. We handle the back-end work so you can spend less time on administration and stay focused on growing your business.

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  • Learn why many companies choose a safe harbor plan (hint: it's because they fail IRS non-discrimination testing—but if you fail or are worried you might fail, we can help!).
  • Read more about safe harbor plans.
  • Review the deadlines for starting a safe harbor plan this calendar year:
    • Oct. 1 — New Plan Launch Deadline: The last day to establish a brand-new safe harbor 401(k) plan for the current calendar year.
    • Nov. 1 — Provider Notification Deadline: The cutoff to request safe harbor status or formula changes with your 401(k) provider.
    • Dec. 1 — Employee Notice Deadline (Matching Plans Only): Federal law requires employers with match-based plans (Basic, Enhanced, or QACA) to distribute employee notices at least 30 days before the plan year begins. Human Interest generates and distributes these notices automatically for our clients.
    • Flexible Deadlines for Non-Elective Plans: If you opt for a 3% or 4% non-elective contribution, your plan is exempt from annual employee notice distribution requirements. Additionally, non-elective safe harbor status can be adopted retroactively later in the year—or even into the following plan year—offering maximum flexibility if you fail nondiscrimination testing.

Disclosures

Investment Advisory services are provided through Human Interest Advisors LLC (HIA) to plans that select HIA as the investment adviser. HIA is a Registered Investment Adviser and subsidiary of Human Interest Inc. For such plans, a monthly investment advisory fee is paid to Human Interest Advisors (HIA) of 0.01% of plan assets when HIA acts as a 3(38) fiduciary, or 0.018% when acting as a 3(21) fiduciary. A separate fee for recordkeeping services and custody-related expenses is paid to Human Interest Inc. (HII) of 0.05% of plan assets. Asset-based fees are deducted monthly from the employee's account according to the HII Terms of Service and HIA Terms of Service. All prices are exclusive of applicable taxes. If the plan sponsor elects to hire an external investment advisor, the plan sponsor will pay such advisor as agreed between the plan sponsor and advisor. For more information, please see our pricing page.

As of 6/30/2026, figure represents the weighted average of monthly fund net expenses (“expense ratio”) for participants in new 401(k) plans launched after 8/4/25 and invested in Human Interest Advisors’ Model Portfolios (“Models”). The weighted average monthly expense ratio for participants invested in Models within 403(b) plans ranges from 0.005-0.006%. Provided for illustrative purposes only. Actual, average fund expenses a participant experiences vary based on the specific Model selected, allocation changes to Models, whether participants opt out of Models and choose their own investments and allocations, or allocation drift, especially in volatile markets. Model allocations and underlying fund expenses are subject to change. Before investing, carefully review the fund’s prospectus, factsheet, and/or participant fee disclosure, which includes, among other things, a description of fees and expenses a fund will charge.