Negotiate a higher company match on 401k? Possible?

[cbr shadow]

Since I'm allowed to contribute $17,500 of my salary into my 401k PLUS the company match (currently 5%), wouldn't it make sense to try to negotiate a higher company match in leu of a pay increase?  The advantage being that it would allow for me to put more money into my 401k.  Am I missing something here?  Are there rules against this?
Example:  I make $100k and my company matches 5% ($5000) currently.  If instead of giving me a raise they are willing to increase my match to 8% ($8,000) I could put $25,500 into my account ($17,500 + $8,000) instead of the $22,500 ($17,500 + $5,000).

Thanks,
Ryan

[rocketman48097]

There are rules against this, they can't give you an increased match unless they give everyone else the same increased match. 

[ioseftavi]

There are rules against this, they can't give you an increased match unless they give everyone else the same increased match.

100% accurate - I believe it's ERISA rules in the US that prevent this type of thing.  Shoot for an increase in time off or something else (if you can't negotiate the higher base pay or whatever).  Good luck!

[eman resu]

Hi Ryan - Request and read your 401k Plan documents, if you haven't already. If there's anything you can leverage, it'll be in the Plan terms.  For instance, my employer's Plan offers higher contributions based on being a named officer among other things.  While I couldn't negotiate a higher contribution %age "just for me", I could negotiate a title change making me a named officer.

[CDP45]

Also issues arise if you're a HCE, which is crazy that $105 gross on the coasts qualifies..