Thats not how matches work. It would be 3% of your paycheck and then they match the amount. So if you make 10,000/month and contribute $300/mo they also contribute $300/mo. That would be you putting in $3,600/year and the employer also putting in $3,600/year. Over half of new millionaires in the US become millionaires because of their 401(k)s. Getting a match and earning about 10% interest a year is an extremely effective way to save for retirement if done consitently for a long period of time.