
Money Rescue · Retirement
Make sense of your 401k
Match. Vesting. Funds. No finance degree required.
A personalized breakdown of how your 401k works – and exactly what to ask HR. Ready in 2 minutes.
The Problem
You have a 401k – but you have no idea what's happening with your money.
Don't know if you're getting free money
We explain employer match formulas in dollars.
No idea what 'vesting' means
Cliff vs graded – and how it affects your match.
Overwhelmed by investment choices
Target date funds vs index funds – what to pick for your age.
Afraid to ask HR stupid questions
We give you the exact questions to ask – no embarrassment.
What You'll Get
A complete 401k survival guide
Employer match decoded
What '50% match up to 6%' actually means in dollars – and how much free money you're leaving on the table.
Vesting schedule explained
When that match money is actually yours – cliff vs graded vesting, and what happens if you leave.
Investment choices simplified
Target date funds vs index funds – what to pick based on your years to retirement.
Questions for HR
5 specific questions to ask your benefits team – copy and paste.
How It Works
From I don't get it to I know what to do in 2 minutes.
1
Answer 5 quick questions
Match, understanding level, years to retirement, confusion, current contribution.

~2 minutes
2
AI builds your personalized guide
You get a printable HTML document with match explanation, vesting, investment advice, and HR questions.

~30 seconds
3
Take action this week
Check your contribution, call HR, and adjust your investments online.

30 minutes
1
401k action plan
1
match calculator example
2
investment model portfolios
Questions
Everything you need to know.
What if my employer doesn't offer a 401k?
This guide still helps you understand the concept. For retirement savings without a 401k, look into an IRA (Traditional or Roth) – the basics are similar.
What's a 'target date fund'?
A fund that automatically shifts from stocks to bonds as you get closer to retirement. Pick the one with your expected retirement year (e.g., 2055). It's the simplest choice for most people.
What percentage should I contribute?
At minimum, contribute enough to get the full employer match. Then aim for 10-15% of your salary if possible. The guide includes a simple rule of thumb.
What if I'm already retired or close to retirement?
The guide adjusts investment advice based on your years to retirement – more conservative, fewer stocks.
Is this advice the same for Roth 401k?
Basics are similar, but Roth 401k uses after‑tax dollars. The guide focuses on traditional 401k; we note the difference briefly.
Reviews
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