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Safe Harbor Contribution Chart

There are Three Options for Safe Harbor Contributions

Basic Safe Harbor Match

Enhanced Safe Harbor Match

Non-Elective Safe
Harbor

Employee Deferral
Employer Safe Harbor Contribution Minimums
Percentage W-2 income
(Amount of deferral)1
Option 1: Basic Match
Option 2: Enhanced Match
Option 3: Non-elective Match
The employer matches 100% of the first 3% of each employee’s contribution and 50% of the next 2%. Employees are required to contribute to their 401(k) in order to get the match.
The employer matches 100% of the first 4% of each employee’s contribution. Employees are required to contribute to their 401(k) plan in order to get the match.
Eligible employees get an annual employer contribution of 3% of their salary. Employees are NOT required to contribute to their 401(k) plan in order to get the employer contribution.
0% ($0)
0% ($0)
0% ($0)
3% OR $4,500 required
1% ($1,500)
100% match
Total: 1% = $1,500
100% match
Total: 1% = $1,500
3% OR $4,500 required
2% ($3,000)
100% match
Total: 2% OR $3,000
100% match
Total: 2% OR $3,000
3% OR $4,500 required
3% ($4,500)
100% match
Total: 3% OR $4,500
100% match
Total: 3% OR $4,500
3% OR $4,500 required
4% ($6,000)
100% match up to 3%, 50% of the next 1% match
Total: 3.5% OR $5,250
100% match
Total: 4% OR $6,000
No additional contribution required
5% ($7,500)
100% match up to 3%, 50% of the next 2% match
Total: 4% OR $6,000
No additional contribution required
6% ($9,000)
No additional contribution required
1 This assumes a salary of $150K and calculations would differ based on the salary of the employee.

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