Ford 401(k) at a glance
| Employer match | For salaried employees, Ford matches 90 cents per dollar on the first 5% of base salary you contribute (max 4.5% of pay). |
|---|---|
| Maximum match | 4.5% of pay |
| Contribution needed for full match | 5% of pay |
| Company contribution (no match needed) | Salaried employees hired or rehired on or after Jan 1, 2004 also get a Ford Retirement Plan (FRP) contribution of 3.5% (under 40), 4.5% (40-49) or 5.5% (50+) of base salary, with no employee contribution needed. |
| Vesting | 3 years to fully vestCompany matching and FRP contributions vest 3 years after the original hire date. |
| Eligibility | Regular full-time salaried employees can join immediately after hire and get the match right away. |
| Automatic enrollment | New hires are auto-enrolled at 5% of base salary, rising 1% a year up to 10%. |
| Roth 401(k) option | Yes |
| Pension | YesSalaried employees hired from 2004 get the FRP 401(k) contribution instead of a pension. UAW hourly workers hired before Nov 19, 2007 keep a traditional pension, which the 2023 contract raised by $5 a month per year of service. |
| Plan provider | Alight Solutions (recordkeeper); State Street (trustee) |
| Who this applies to | US salaried employees (Savings and Stock Investment Plan) |
How much is the Ford match worth?
If you contribute 5% of your pay, Ford adds the full match. Here is what that means at different salaries, per year, before investment growth:
| Salary | You contribute (5%) | Ford match | Company contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $2,000 | $1,800 | $1,400 |
| $60,000 | $3,000 | $2,700 | $2,100 |
| $90,000 | $4,500 | $4,050 | $3,150 |
| $150,000 | $7,500 | $6,750 | $5,250 |
Illustration based on the plan terms above. Your actual match depends on eligible pay, timing and plan rules.
Good to know
- UAW hourly employees use a separate plan (TESPHE). Those hired since Nov 19, 2007 get no pension; instead Ford pays a Retirement Contribution of 10% of eligible wages (up to 40 hours/week) since Oct 23, 2023 (was 6.4%), plus $1.00 per compensated hour. No employee contribution is needed. These vest 3 years after hire.
- TESPHE auto-enrolls new hourly hires at 3%, rising 1% a year to 10%.
- From Dec 8, 2025, some hourly employees joined the salaried plan with a $1-for-$1 match on 5% plus a 5% company contribution.
Other Ford retirement benefits
- After-tax contributions allowed
- Bonus deferral into the plan
How to make the most of your Ford 401(k)
- Always get the full match. Contribute at least 5% of pay. It is an instant return you cannot get anywhere else.
- Check your vesting date before you change jobs, so you do not leave unvested money behind.
- Pre-tax or Roth? If you expect a higher tax rate in retirement, Roth contributions can pay off. Model it with our Roth conversion calculator.
- Watch fees and prefer low-cost index or target-date funds in the plan lineup.
- Plan the whole picture: see how your state taxes retirement income before you decide where to retire.
Frequently asked questions
Does Ford match 401(k) contributions?
For salaried employees, Ford matches 90 cents per dollar on the first 5% of base salary you contribute (max 4.5% of pay). Salaried employees hired or rehired on or after Jan 1, 2004 also get a Ford Retirement Plan (FRP) contribution of 3.5% (under 40), 4.5% (40-49) or 5.5% (50+) of base salary, with no employee contribution needed.
When does the Ford 401(k) match vest?
Company matching and FRP contributions vest 3 years after the original hire date.
When can I join the Ford 401(k)?
Regular full-time salaried employees can join immediately after hire and get the match right away.
Does Ford offer a pension?
Salaried employees hired from 2004 get the FRP 401(k) contribution instead of a pension. UAW hourly workers hired before Nov 19, 2007 keep a traditional pension, which the 2023 contract raised by $5 a month per year of service.
How much should I contribute to get the full Ford match?
Contribute at least 5% of your pay. Anything less leaves part of the match unclaimed.
Sources (last verified 2025)
- Ford Savings and Stock Investment Plan Form 11-K (FY2025) — Ford Motor Co. / SEC (2026-06-05)
- Ford Tax-Efficient Savings Plan for Hourly Employees Form 11-K (FY2025) — Ford Motor Co. / SEC (2026-06-05)
- UAW Agreement Strengthens Retirement Security — Center for Retirement Research at Boston College (2023-12-12)
- Ford 401(k) SSIP and TESPHE Plans — Mainstay Capital
Educational content only, not tax, legal or investment advice. Plans and tax laws change; confirm details with your employer's plan documents or your state revenue department. Smart Financial Lifestyle is not affiliated with any employer named on this site.