401(k) match changes, tracked from SEC filings
Across the 219 large US employers whose most recent SEC 11-K filings we have read, 7 cut, capped or paused their 401(k) match, 4 increased or widened it, and 1 ended employer contributions to the plan entirely.
Another 4 changed match rules or timing without a stated rate change, and 3 changed their auto-enrollment default. Every change below is dated and quoted from the plan’s own annual report, not from press coverage.
7 of 219
companies in our filing set cut, capped or paused their 401(k) match, with effective dates from 2024 to 2026. IBM is the only one that ended employer 401(k) contributions outright.
Find your employer in the table, then read the filing sentence behind the change.
Every change we have found, newest first
| Effective | Company | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 1, 2026 | Thermo Fisher Scientific | Cut |
New participants entering the plan on or after April 1, 2026 get a match of 100% of the first 5% of pay; existing participants keep 100% of the first 6%. Match deposits also move from every payroll to twice a year. What the filing says, word for word“The Company’s discretionary matching contribution is equal to 100% of the first 6% (5% for new participants entering the Plan on or after April 1, 2026) of eligible compensation for pre-tax and Roth participant contributions to the Plan. New participants are required to complete one year of service to qualify for the Company matching contribution. The Company’s matching contribution is invested into various investment options, including investment funds and the Company’s common stock, according to the participant's investment elections. Participant contributions and Company matching contributions are deposited into the Plan on a bi-weekly basis or weekly for those employees on a weekly payroll. Effective April 1, 2026, Company matching contributions are deposited into the Plan semi-annually. In addition, participants are generally required to be actively employed on June 30, and December 31, to receive the match; however, participants who separate from the Company due to death, disability, or retirement will receive their match earned as of such date.” Source: Form 11-K filed June 23, 2026, accession 0000097745-26-000126 · SEC ↗ | ||
| Feb 1, 2026 | Sherwin-Williams | Increase |
The match (100% of the first 6% of pay), paused since October 1, 2025, was reinstated. A make-up contribution of about $36 million accrued for the pause period was paid to eligible participants on March 30, 2026. Source: Form 11-K filed June 25, 2026, accession 0000089800-26-000041 · SEC ↗ | ||
| Jan 1, 2026 | Cigna | Structure change |
New hires now wait one year for matching contributions; match eligibility used to start the day they joined. Matching contributions made after December 31, 2025 vest immediately (previously a two-year cliff), and the plan moves off a safe harbor design. Source: Form 11-K filed June 24, 2026, accession 0001739940-26-000051 · SEC ↗ | ||
| Jan 1, 2026 | HumanaPuerto Rico plan | Cut |
Match reduced from 125% to 100% of contributions up to 6% of pay. The maximum employer match falls from 7.5% to 6% of pay. What the filing says, word for word“The Company matched 125% of a Participant’s eligible pre-tax, Roth (discussed below) and catch-up contributions that combined do not exceed 6% of their eligible compensation after completion of one year of service. After-tax, Rollover, Roth Rollover and Roth Conversion contributions are not matched. The Company may increase, decrease, or cease matching contributions, with approval from the Board of Directors. Matching contributions are funded each pay period and follow the Participants' investment elections. Effective January 1, 2026, the Company reduced the matching contribution from 125% to 100% of a Participant's eligible pre-tax, Roth and catch-up contributions combined up to 6% of their eligible compensation, after completion of one year of service. Additionally, beginning January 1, 2026, qualified student loan payments are eligible for matching contributions, subject to the same 6% of eligible compensation after completion of one year of service.” Source: Form 11-K filed June 24, 2026, accession 0000049071-26-000037 · SEC ↗ | ||
| Jan 1, 2026 | PepsiCo | Increase |
Salaried employees still accruing pension benefits, previously excluded from company matching and non-matching contributions, became eligible for both after the pension was frozen on December 31, 2025. Source: Form 11-K filed June 18, 2026, accession 0000077476-26-000030 · SEC ↗ | ||
| Jan 1, 2026 | UnitedHealth Group | Cut |
Safe harbor match revised from 100% of the first 3% of pay plus 50% of the next 3% (4.5% of pay maximum) to 100% of the first 1% plus 50% of the next 5% (3.5% maximum). Source: Form 11-K filed June 11, 2026, accession 0000731766-26-000143 · SEC ↗ | ||
| Oct 1, 2025 | Sherwin-Williams | Cut |
Matching contributions (100% of the first 6% of pay) temporarily paused for eligible employees. Reinstated February 1, 2026 with a make-up contribution for the pause period. Source: Form 11-K filed June 25, 2026, accession 0000089800-26-000041 · SEC ↗ | ||
| Jan 1, 2025 | Charter Communications | Structure changeemployer contribution |
In this entirely employer-funded plan (3% of pay, employees may not contribute), employer contributions moved to a single annual deposit after year end, paid only if the employee is employed on December 31. What the filing says, word for word“Employees may not contribute to the Plan. The employer contribution equals 3% of the participant's eligible payroll compensation. Effective January 1, 2025, employer contributions are made to the Plan annually following the close of that plan year provided the employee was employed by the Company on December 31 of that year.” Source: Form 11-K filed June 22, 2026, accession 0001091667-26-000041 · SEC ↗ Charter Communications 401(k) employer contribution change, Jan 1, 2025 | ||
| Jan 1, 2025 | Citigroup | Cut |
Pay counted toward the match was capped at $200,000. Through 2024 the match applied up to the IRS statutory compensation limit ($345,000 that year), so higher earners now receive a smaller maximum match. What the filing says, word for word“The Company matching contribution was equal to 100% of the participant’s before-tax and/or Roth contributions up to 6% of the participant’s eligible compensation (up to the annual compensation maximum set by the Code) for eligible employees at all compensation levels. For Plan year ended December 31, 2024, Company matching contributions did not exceed the lesser of the participant’s contribution or 6% of the participant’s eligible compensation up to the statutory limit. Effective January 1, 2025, Company matching contributions did not exceed the lesser of the participant’s contribution or 6% of the participant’s eligible compensation up to $200,000. Catch‑up contributions are not subject to matching contributions. Participants must contribute to the Plan to receive Company matching contributions.” Source: Form 11-K filed June 29, 2026, accession 0000831001-26-000032 · SEC ↗ | ||
| Jan 1, 2025 | GoodyearCooper Tire Findlay plan, collectively bargained | Increase |
A match was introduced for employees hired on or after January 1, 2009: 25% of the first 1% of pay, scheduled to step up each year to 50% of the first 2% by January 1, 2028. Before this, those employees received only a 3% retirement contribution. What the filing says, word for word“Goodyear makes retirement contributions for employees hired on and after January 1, 2009 in an amount equal to 3% of compensation for the payroll period for each person who is an eligible employee on the last day of that period. All contributions are subject to certain limitations of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”). Effective January 1, 2025, employees hired on and after January 1, 2009 are eligible for Company matching contributions equal to 25% of the first 1% of eligible compensation that the employee contributes to the Plan, gradually increasing in annual increments to 50% of the first 2% of eligible compensation, effective January 1, 2028. Effective January 1, 2025, employees hired on and after January 1, 2025 are eligible to receive retirement and matching contributions after completion of 90 days of continuous credited service.” Source: Form 11-K filed June 4, 2026, accession 0001628280-26-040676 · SEC ↗ | ||
| Jan 1, 2025 | Intel | Cut |
Match reduced from 100% of contributions up to 7% of pay to 100% up to 5%, for pay dates after December 31, 2024. The maximum match falls from 7% to 5% of pay. What the filing says, word for word“Eligible employees receive Company matching contributions with immediate eligibility. Effective January 1, 2024, the Company matching contribution was 100% of each eligible employee's eligible elective deferrals up to 7% of eligible compensation. For payroll periods with payment dates after December 31, 2024 the employer match contributions percentage is 100% of each eligible employee's eligible elective deferrals up to 5% of eligible compensation. The Company matching contribution will be trued-up each plan year to attain the appropriate allocation rate for the plan year as a whole.” Source: Form 11-K filed June 12, 2026, accession 0000050863-26-000142 · SEC ↗ | ||
| Jan 1, 2025 | JPMorgan Chase | Increase |
Match eligibility widened at the top: employees with total annual cash compensation of $250,000 or more used to be ineligible. Now only those at $1,000,000 or more are excluded, and the match is capped at $10,000 for those earning $350,000 to $999,999. Source: Form 11-K filed June 26, 2026, accession 0001628280-26-045709 · SEC ↗ | ||
| Jan 1, 2025 | JPMorgan Chase | Structure changeauto-enrollment |
Auto-enrollment default rate raised from 3% to 5% of pay, with automatic 1% annual increases up to 10%. What the filing says, word for word“Newly eligible and rehired employees are automatically enrolled in the Plan at a 5% before-tax contribution rate on ongoing compensation (base salary/regular pay and any non-annual cash incentive compensation) unless they otherwise enroll themselves or opt out of the Plan within their first 31 days of eligibility (3% rate prior to January 1, 2025). Further, unless the employees elect a different rate, for employees who are automatically enrolled, their contribution rate is automatically increased annually by 1% until they reach a before-tax contribution rate of 10%.” Source: Form 11-K filed June 26, 2026, accession 0001628280-26-045709 · SEC ↗ | ||
| Jan 1, 2025 | U.S. Bancorp | Structure change |
The matching formula changed and the plan began operating as a non safe harbor plan. The filing does not state the prior formula; the current formula is 100% of contributions up to 4% of pay, deposited annually. Source: Form 11-K filed June 22, 2026, accession 0000036104-26-000032 · SEC ↗ | ||
| Jan 1, 2025 | UPS | Structure change |
To receive the SavingsPlus match (50% of contributions up to 6% of pay), participants must now be employed on the last day of the calendar quarter. Company match paid fell from $141.8 million in 2024 to $129.3 million in 2025. Source: Form 11-K filed June 18, 2026, accession 0001628280-26-044378 · SEC ↗ | ||
| Jan 1, 2025 | UPS | Structure changeauto-enrollment |
Auto-enrollment default cut from 6% of pay to 3%, now with automatic 1% annual increases up to 15%. What the filing says, word for word“The Plan includes an auto-enrollment provision whereby certain newly eligible employees are automatically enrolled in the Plan within 90 days of employment, unless they affirmatively elect not to participate in the Plan. Effective January 1, 2023, the deferral rate increases 1% annually until it reaches 15% of eligible compensation or is changed by the participant. Prior to January 1, 2025, automatically enrolled participants initially have their deferral rate set at 6% of pre-tax eligible compensation and their contributions invested in an age appropriate target date fund unless and until changed by the participant. Effective January 1, 2025, employees are automatically enrolled within 90 days of employment at a 3% pre-tax rate and contribution percentage will increase by 1% annually until the contribution reaches 15%.” Source: Form 11-K filed June 18, 2026, accession 0001628280-26-044378 · SEC ↗ | ||
| Jul 1, 2024 | Darden Restaurants | Cut |
The discretionary quarterly match fell from 65% to 25% of contributions on the first 6% of pay for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, then returned to 80%, 65% and 80% over the next three quarters. What the filing says, word for word“For the calendar quarters ended June 30, 2024, September 30, 2024, December 31, 2024, and March 31, 2025, the Company made matching contributions of 65%, 25%, 80%, and 65%, respectively, of an employee’s contributions, up to the first 6% of eligible compensation contributed to the Plan. For the calendar quarter ended June 30, 2025, the Company made a matching contribution of 80% of an employee's contributions, up to the first 6% of eligible compensation contributed to the Plan. Effective for calendar quarters beginning on or after April 1, 2020, the Company Matching Contribution is determined separately each calendar quarter at the Company's discretion and can range from a minimum of 0% to a maximum of 120% of an employee's contributions, up to the first 6% of eligible compensation contributed to the Plan. Company Matching Contributions are generally contributed to the Plan on a calendar quarter basis.” Source: Form 11-K filed October 16, 2025, accession 0000940944-25-000061 · SEC ↗ | ||
| Mar 1, 2024 | McDonald's | Structure changeauto-enrollment |
Auto-enrollment default for restaurant management employees raised from 1% to 3% of pay. What the filing says, word for word“As of March 1, 2024, restaurant management employees are enrolled automatically at a contribution level of 3% of eligible compensation as soon as they have completed one year of service and attained age 21 (the percentage may be changed by the restaurant management employee). Prior to March 1, 2024, the applicable percentage was 1% of eligible compensation. For those auto enrolled participants who do not make investment elections for new contributions to the Plan, all contributions to the Plan, both participant and Company contributions, are invested in the age-appropriate target date fund for participants.” Source: Form 11-K filed June 18, 2026, accession 0001104659-26-075561 · SEC ↗ | ||
| Jan 1, 2024 | IBM | Ended |
IBM's contributions to the 401(k) plan ended. Employer money moved to a new Retirement Benefit Account, a cash balance pension credit outside the 401(k). Employees can still contribute to the plan; the filing does not state the prior match formula. What the filing says, word for word“As previously disclosed, beginning January 1, 2024, IBM began providing a new cash balance retirement benefit to eligible employees under the company's existing U.S. Defined Benefit Qualified Personal Pension Plan (Qualified PPP) called the Retirement Benefit Account (RBA). IBM's contributions to the Plan ended and employees can continue to make contributions to the Plan.” Source: Form 11-K filed June 26, 2026, accession 0000051143-26-000064 · SEC ↗ | ||
Ordered by effective date, newest first. “Cut” covers lower rates, lower caps and pauses; “increase” covers higher rates, wider eligibility and reinstatements; “structure change” covers rules, timing or defaults changing without a stated rate change.
What this tracker covers
This page covers the 219 companies whose 11-K filings we have extracted so far, out of about 691 employers that file an 11-K with the SEC each year. The tracker grows as extraction proceeds. If a company is not listed, its filing has not been read yet; that is not evidence its match is unchanged.
A change is recorded only when the filing states it. Every row carries the effective date, the direction of the change, and a link to the filing. Most rows also quote the sentence that discloses it; a few filings spell a change out across several passages instead of one, and those rows link the document without a quote. Some effective dates reach back to 2024, because an 11-K arrives up to six months after the plan year ends and often restates earlier changes.
Long-frozen legacy plans with no employer match and no dated change (for example Northrop Grumman’s Financial Security and Savings Program, closed to new participants) are not listed. Plan mergers, recordkeeper switches and investment menu changes are out of scope. New to match mechanics? How 401(k) matching works.
401(k) Monitor, “401(k) match changes tracked from SEC Form 11-K filings”, effective dates 2024 to 2026, read from each plan’s most recent Form 11-K annual report.