“Does my employer's match count toward my contribution limit?”

Not toward the limit most people mean, no.

The IRS sets an annual limit on what *you* can contribute from your paycheck — the employee deferral limit. Your employer's match does not eat into that number. So if you're able to contribute up to the employee limit, the match lands on top of it.

There is a second, much higher combined limit covering everything going into the account — your money plus employer money together — but most people never brush against it.

The practical takeaway: you never need to contribute less to "leave room" for the match. The match is additional. The current year's limits are published by the IRS and typically adjust annually — your plan portal or HR will have this year's numbers.