My employer matched my 401(k) contribution 50% (up to 4% of my annual wage). That’s not a whole lot, but it’s a lot better than nothing!
I was able to begin participation in our 401(k) right when the economy decided to tank. Murphy’s Law.
I’m only contributing 4% (and my employer throws in 2%) while I pay off some debt that I accrued while working for peanuts for my prior employer.
In the two years that I’ve been contributing, according to the Principal.com tools, I’m down 11.31%. Yes, that’s right, -11.31% growth. On the surface that’s pretty un-cool.
Then again, when you factor in that my employer is giving me 50%, I’m really up 38.69%; can’t argue with a return like that!