I didn't start saving in a workplace 401(k) until I joined Mohawk Industries in 2016, at approximately age 33. At first, I saved only enough to receive the full employer match. I split contributions between Roth and traditional pre-tax accounts and, over roughly the next five years, directed raises toward increasing how much I saved.
After I joined Kordsa during Thanksgiving week of 2021, I continued the approach. By 2023, my employee contribution election was 26% of salary: 13% Roth and 13% pre-tax. In 2026, I moved to 26% pre-tax, partly to reduce current taxable income during a period when I planned to realize gains in a taxable brokerage account. The total savings percentage didn't increase as a result; the tax treatment changed.
What the payroll records show
My December paystubs document employee and employer retirement contributions for 2023, 2024, and 2025. In total, about $66,800 came from my earnings and another $12,800 from a recorded employer matching line, or about $79,500 before investment returns during those three years.
The employer match on the paystub appears at roughly 5% of pay. I remember the total retirement benefit being more generous—previously described to me as 10% and later 8% tied to a 5% employee contribution—but I would need the plan's detailed statements to reconcile any additional components. I won't present that difference as a verified employer contribution.
| Year | Gross wages | Employee 401(k) | Employer match line |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $91,900 | $21,500 | $4,100 |
| 2024 | $87,000 | $22,200 | $4,300 |
| 2025 | $88,800 | $23,000 | $4,400 |
| 2023–2025 | {money(sum(i[1] for i in rows))} | {money(sum(i[2] for i in rows))} | {money(sum(i[3] for i in rows))} |
Two retirement plans with different exposures
As of November 2026, my Kordsa 401(k) was approximately $204,200. Its holdings were about 74.5% in a State Street S&P 500 index strategy, 10.2% in a Fidelity mid-cap index fund, 10.1% in a Russell small-cap value index fund, and 5.2% in real estate securities. It was almost entirely equity-oriented. A plan screen reported a trailing 12-month return of 13.92% through November 9, 2026.
I also kept my former Mohawk retirement account separately invested. It held approximately $67,600 in November 2026, with a mix of U.S. and international stocks, bonds, and short-term holdings. Fidelity reported a 21.25% annualized three-year return through October 31, 2026, compared with a 23.38% annualized return for the S&P 500 in the same displayed period. Those aren't identical risk profiles, so the comparison isn't a complete assessment of investment quality.
Lessons and limitations
I view employer matching as an important part of total compensation, but not every employer offers it. The benefit can also change. My own contribution percentage reflects tradeoffs: saving more today means bringing home less cash, which can create a tight monthly budget even when the household has meaningful accumulated assets.
Returns should always be labeled with the correct date and period, and contributions shouldn't be mistaken for market profits. My experience isn't a recommendation to save exactly 26% of pay, select my funds, or prioritize retirement over emergency reserves. Those choices have to fit individual circumstances.