STW: How I Doubled My 401(k) Match in My First Job

The Story

“When I got my first full-time job, I wasn’t planning to invest in the 401(k) right away. But my company offered a 3% match, so I decided to contribute just enough to get it. After a few months, I bumped it up to 6%. By the end of my first year, I had doubled the match and built up a small retirement account that surprised me with how fast it grew."

Advisor Breakdown

Situation:

• First job, limited knowledge about retirement accounts.

• Employer offered 3% match.

👉 I always say: not contributing to a 401(k) match is like saying no to free money.

Task:

• Start saving for retirement without overwhelming their budget.

Action:

• Contributed at least 3% for the full match.

• Increased contributions gradually to 6%.

• Stayed consistent.

👉 I like this approach — start small, then raise it. Most people think they need to max out right away, but consistency matters more.

Result:

• Built ~$15,000 in the account within 2 years (with contributions + growth + match).

• Learned the power of compounding + employer benefits.

Key Takeaways

• Always capture the 401(k) match.

• Start small, then increase as income grows.

• Consistency beats perfection.