Saver's Match calculator
From 2027 the government adds up to 50% of what you save for retirement, up to $1,000 a person a year. Enter your income and what you plan to save to see your match.
- Up to $1,000 per person a year, $2,000 for a couple.
- Deposited into a retirement account, not paid as cash: a traditional IRA or the pre-tax part of a work plan that accepts it.
- For incomes under $71,000 joint, $35,500 single.
How the Saver's Match works
The Saver's Match is a new federal program from the SECURE 2.0 Act. For money you put into a retirement plan or IRA in 2027, the government adds a match of up to 50%, on up to $2,000 of savings per person. That's up to $1,000 for you and another $1,000 for your spouse on a joint return.
You claim it on Form 8880-A with your 2027 tax return, filed in 2028, and the IRS deposits it into an account you name that accepts it: a traditional IRA or the pre-tax part of a work plan. It can't go straight into a Roth account. IRA contributions for 2027 count until April 15, 2028. If you don't have a plan at work, you can open an IRA; from 2027 TrumpIRA.gov will list institutions that accept the match. It replaces the old Saver's Credit for retirement contributions.
The match is retirement money: taking it out before age 59½ can mean extra tax. If your match would be under $100, the law lets you take it as a refundable tax credit instead.
Source: Internal Revenue Code §6433; IRS, "Saver's Match" (irs.gov/credits-deductions/savers-match); IRS Notice 2026-48.
| Who | 18 or older by the end of the year, not a full-time student, not claimed as a dependent, and a U.S. resident for tax purposes. On a joint return, each spouse qualifies on their own. Residents of U.S. territories claim through their territory's tax agency. |
|---|---|
| What counts | Your own contributions to a 401(k) (pre-tax or Roth), 403(b), governmental 457(b), TSP, SIMPLE IRA, or traditional or Roth IRA. No minimum. Employer contributions don't count. |
| Full 50% match | Income up to $41,000 joint or surviving spouse, $30,750 head of household, $20,500 single or married filing separately. |
| No match | Income of $71,000 joint, $53,250 head of household, $35,500 single or more. In between, the rate drops one point at a time. |
| Income used | Adjusted gross income plus your pre-tax retirement contributions. Limits rise with inflation after 2027. |
| Withdrawals | Retirement withdrawals from January 2025 through your 2027 return's due date reduce the savings that count; on a joint return, either spouse's count against both. Rollovers, loans and inherited IRAs don't count. |
Questions people ask
What is the Saver's Match?
A federal program that starts with 2027 retirement savings. If you qualify, the government adds up to 50% of what you put into a 401(k), 403(b), governmental 457(b) or IRA, up to $1,000 per person a year. The money goes into a retirement account that accepts it, not to you as cash.
Who qualifies for the Saver's Match?
You need to be 18 or older by the end of the year, not a full-time student, not claimed as a dependent, a U.S. resident for tax purposes, and you need to put money into an eligible plan or IRA. For 2027 there's no match at $71,000 of income or more for married couples filing jointly, $53,250 for heads of household and $35,500 for everyone else. You can qualify even if you owe little or no income tax.
How do I get the Saver's Match?
Save in an eligible plan or IRA during 2027, then file Form 8880-A with your 2027 tax return in early 2028. The IRS deposits the match into an account you name that accepts it: a traditional IRA or the pre-tax part of a 401(k), 403(b) or governmental 457(b). It can't go straight into a Roth account. There's nothing to do in 2026.
How does income change the match?
You get the full 50% up to $41,000 of income on a joint return, $30,750 as head of household and $20,500 for everyone else. Above that the rate drops step by step and reaches zero at $71,000, $53,250 and $35,500. Income here is your adjusted gross income plus your pre-tax retirement contributions.
Does the Saver's Match replace the Saver's Credit?
Yes, for 401(k), IRA and similar contributions starting with 2027. You can't get both for the same contribution. Contributions to an ABLE account can still get the Saver's Credit.
Do withdrawals affect the Saver's Match?
Yes. Money you take out of retirement accounts from the start of 2025 through your 2027 return's due date is subtracted from the contributions that count. On a joint return, either spouse's withdrawals count against both. Rollovers, plan loans and inherited IRAs don't count.