Why Most People Leave 401k Money on the Table

In this episode of Retirement Planning with Fexingo, Lucas and Luna unpack a quiet problem: the majority of 401k participants are not maximizing their employer match. They break down the numbers using Vanguard's 2025 data showing that the average American leaves $1,336 per year in free money. Lucas explains how auto-escalation features, like those at Microsoft and Bank of America, have boosted participation above 90%, and why inertia is the biggest barrier. They also cover the 'stretch contribution' strategy used by tech workers and the new SECURE 2.0 rules making it easier to enroll part-time workers. Luna challenges Lucas on whether the match is always the right priority versus debt repayment. By the end, listeners learn a concrete move: check your plan's match formula and adjust your contribution by at least one percentage point. No jargon, no sales pitch—just a focused conversation on one of the highest-return financial decisions you can make. #RetirementPlanning #401k #EmployerMatch #FreeMoney #Vanguard #AutoEscalation #SECURE20 #Microsoft #BankOfAmerica #Inertia #ContributionRate #DeferralRate #FinancialLiteracy #PersonalFinance #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #Finance #Investing Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo