“How much should I contribute to my 401(k)?”

There's no single right number, and anyone who gives you one without knowing your situation is guessing.

What we can say: if your employer offers a match, contributing at least enough to collect all of it is the closest thing to a free lunch in personal finance — it's part of your pay. Below the match, you're declining compensation.

Beyond the match, it becomes a real tradeoff against everything else in your life: high-interest debt, an emergency cushion, a home you're saving for, a family member you help. Retirement math matters, but so does this month's reality — a contribution rate you can't sustain isn't a plan, it's a cycle.

A gentle starting frame many people use: capture the full match, then revisit the number once a year or whenever pay changes. Give yourself permission to start where you are.