Contributing $500/month to a 401(k) with a 50% employer match ($250/month) at 7% annual return grows to approximately $851,147 in 30 years. Without the employer match, the same contributions would only reach $566,765 — the match adds $284,382 in extra growth.

Key Numbers

• •Your monthly contribution: $500
• •Employer match (50%): $250/month
• •Total monthly investment: $750
• •Growth over 30 years at 7%: $851,147
• •Without match: $566,765
• •Value of employer match: $284,382