How much does Google match?
Google matches 50% of what you contribute to your 401(k), up to the IRS limit. For 2026 that’s $12,250 if you contribute the full $24,500, and the match is yours immediately.
If you contribute less, Google matches your first $3,000 dollar for dollar whenever that works out to more. Either way, I’d contribute enough to get the full match before doing anything else on this page.
One thing to be careful about is front-loading your contributions early in the year. The match is paid each paycheck, so if you hit the limit in, say, August, you could miss the match for the remaining months. Unless you’ve confirmed that Google makes up the difference at year-end, I’d spread your contributions across the whole year.
The mega backdoor Roth at Google
Google’s 401(k) supports the mega backdoor Roth. You can make after-tax contributions beyond the regular limit and convert them to Roth inside the plan.
For 2026, there’s room for up to $35,250 of after-tax contributions if you’re under 50 and you contribute the full $24,500 with the full match. Google starts the after-tax contributions for you once you hit the regular limit, at 6% of pay unless you change it, but you have to turn on the Roth conversion yourself. Until after-tax money is converted, anything it earns is taxable, so I’d turn the conversion on before raising your after-tax rate.
How the mega backdoor Roth works covers the limits, catch-up contributions, and how it differs from a Roth 401(k) or a backdoor Roth IRA.
How to set it up
It helps to have your benefits elections, your Vanguard account, and a recent paystub open at the same time, so you can follow the money from your paycheck into the plan.
Decide how much you can afford to contribute
Make sure you’ll still have enough take-home pay for your expenses, your emergency fund, and anything big you’re saving for. Then set a target for the year.
Find your after-tax contribution rate
It’s a separate setting from your regular pre-tax or Roth contribution. Check whether the 6% default is what you want.
Turn on the Roth conversion in Vanguard
You can set after-tax contributions to convert to Roth automatically, convert them yourself from time to time, or roll them out to a Roth IRA. I’d pick the automatic option, since it keeps the taxable earnings close to zero.
Check that the first conversion went through
After your next paycheck, look at your Vanguard transaction history for both the after-tax contribution and the Roth conversion. If you see the contribution but no conversion, something isn’t set up right. Keep the confirmations for your tax preparer.
If you can’t find the conversion option, call Vanguard before you put in any more after-tax money. They can tell you how it’s set up for your account.
Google’s 401(k) at a glance
A few details about the plan that are useful to know.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Plan | The Google LLC 401(k) Savings Plan has been around since 1999. Vanguard is the trustee and keeps the records. |
| Automatic enrollment | You’re enrolled at 10% of pay pre-tax. Once you reach the regular limit, contributions continue at 6% after-tax unless you choose otherwise. Automatic escalation is turned on. |
| Default investment | If you don’t choose investments, your money goes into a Vanguard Target Retirement trust. |
| Loans | You can borrow from $1,000 up to the lesser of $50,000 or half your balance, usually repaid within five years, or longer if it’s for your primary home. In 2023, rates ranged from 4.00% to 9.50%. |
| When you leave | You can leave your money in the plan or take it out. As of 2023, balances of $5,000 or less were paid out automatically, so check the current threshold if your balance is small. |
| Financial advice | Goldman Sachs is the plan’s adviser, and Goldman Sachs Ayco and Vanguard provide financial education. |
- Details
- The Google LLC 401(k) Savings Plan has been around since 1999. Vanguard is the trustee and keeps the records.
- Details
- You’re enrolled at 10% of pay pre-tax. Once you reach the regular limit, contributions continue at 6% after-tax unless you choose otherwise. Automatic escalation is turned on.
- Details
- If you don’t choose investments, your money goes into a Vanguard Target Retirement trust.
- Details
- You can borrow from $1,000 up to the lesser of $50,000 or half your balance, usually repaid within five years, or longer if it’s for your primary home. In 2023, rates ranged from 4.00% to 9.50%.
- Details
- You can leave your money in the plan or take it out. As of 2023, balances of $5,000 or less were paid out automatically, so check the current threshold if your balance is small.
- Details
- Goldman Sachs is the plan’s adviser, and Goldman Sachs Ayco and Vanguard provide financial education.
As of 2026, the plan had $62.4 billion in assets and 162,000 participants. 99% of eligible employees participate, the average contribution rate is 15%, more than three-quarters get the full match, and more than half make after-tax contributions.
Beyond the 401(k). Google’s benefits also include medical, dental, and vision insurance, flexible spending accounts, life and disability insurance, a survivor income benefit, a charitable gift match, and paid time off. It’s worth reviewing these alongside your partner’s benefits during open enrollment or when either of you changes jobs.
