401(k) Monitor

Citigroup vs Morgan Stanley 401(k) match: 6% vs 5%

+1 pt

Winner on the headline number: Citigroup, at 6% of pay against Morgan Stanley's 5%. Both filings disclose the full formula, so the two numbers compare like for like; vesting, true-up and enrollment defaults still differ line by line below.

On a $60,000 salary, that gap is worth $600 a year more in employer money from Citigroup.

Filings lag by design and formulas can change between them. Why filings lag

Which 401(k) match is larger, Citigroup or Morgan Stanley?

Citigroup offers the larger 401(k) match: up to 6% of pay against Morgan Stanley's 5%, per each company's SEC Form 11-K for the plan year ended December 31, 2025.

CitigroupMorgan Stanley
Maximum employer matchThe most the employer adds, as a share of your pay.6% of pay (the larger maximum match)5% of pay
Match formula100% (dollar-for-dollar) of the first 6% of pay100% (dollar-for-dollar) of the first 5% of pay
Contribute to collect it allWhat you must put in to earn the full match.6% of pay5% of pay
Vesting of the matchImmediate: employer match is 100% vested when contributedCliff: 100% vested after 3 years of service
Automatic enrollmentYes, 6% default, rises to 15%Not mentioned in the filing
Plan yearEnded December 31, 2025Ended December 31, 2025

Read from each company's most recent SEC Form 11-K filing. When a filing does not disclose something, we say so instead of guessing.

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The figure is the gap between the two maximum matches, in percentage points of pay.