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Learning, Sharing, and Teaching => Investor Alley => Topic started by: Abe on December 06, 2014, 07:37:11 PM

Title: Negotiating higher employer 401k contribution for job?
Post by: Abe on December 06, 2014, 07:37:11 PM

Hello everyone,

 I was wondering if anyone had tried to negotiate a higher employer contribution to a 401k. My wife already contributes the maximum from her side, but currently the employer's default is no more than a 5% match, which is only $7,500 for her. Has anyone tried to convince employers to basically funnel more of the salary from take-home pay into the 401k with success? If so, any thoughts on how to convince them this is a win-win situation (or is it not for them?)

Thanks!

Title: Re: Negotiating higher employer 401k contribution for job?
Post by: Joel on December 06, 2014, 08:46:53 PM

They are not able to treat employees differently for the 401k plan. So if they were to change it, they would have to change it for everyone.

Title: Re: Negotiating higher employer 401k contribution for job?
Post by: Abe on December 07, 2014, 08:24:52 AM

oh, well that puts an end to that plan! Thanks for the information.

Title: Re: Negotiating higher employer 401k contribution for job?
Post by: hodedofome on December 08, 2014, 07:55:14 PM

Yeah same with health insurance contributions as well.

Title: Re: Negotiating higher employer 401k contribution for job?
Post by: dandarc on December 08, 2014, 08:01:59 PM

You might want to research a "self-matched" 401k - employer might allow this.

http://whitecoatinvestor.com/how-i-currently-implement-my-asset-allocation/#comment-14188 (http://whitecoatinvestor.com/how-i-currently-implement-my-asset-allocation/#comment-14188)

No idea how wide-spread this is - am self-employed myeslf so all of my match is a self-match in a sense.

Title: Re: Negotiating higher employer 401k contribution for job?
Post by: frugalnacho on December 10, 2014, 11:25:48 AM

From discussions with cheddarstacker it sounds like this is possible if your company has a safe harbor contribution.

Read this thread starting at post #43:

http://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/antimustachian-wall-of-shame-and-comedy/cue-the-annual-bonus-whine/msg459620/#msg459620

And this thread

http://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/share-your-badassity/increased-my-net-worth-$7kyear/

hope that helps