Kaiser Permanente 401(k) at a glance
| Employer match | Kaiser Permanente does not match employee savings in the TSA (403(b)) plan for salaried and non-union staff. Instead it makes a fixed contribution and also provides a pension. |
|---|---|
| Maximum match | 0% of pay |
| Company contribution (no match needed) | After 2 years of service, KP puts 5% of base salary into the Supplemental Savings and Retirement Plan. You do not have to contribute to get it. |
| Vesting | ImmediateSupplemental Savings and Retirement Plan contributions vest immediately. The pension vests after 5 years of service. |
| Eligibility | You can save in the TSA plan from hire. The 5% employer contribution starts after 2 years of employment. Pension participation starts after 1 year of service with 1,000 hours. |
| Automatic enrollment | New employees are auto-enrolled at 2% of pay, increasing 1% per year up to 6%, unless they opt out. |
| Roth 401(k) option | Yes |
| Pension | YesThe Kaiser Permanente Retirement Plan is an employer-paid defined benefit pension based on pay and years of service. It vests after 5 years. |
| Who this applies to | Salaried and non-union non-exempt employees (Southern California brochure); Kaiser Foundation Health Plan/Hospitals employees use the TSA plan, Permanente Medical Group employees use a 401(k) |
Good to know
- The only primary source found is a 2023 Southern California total-rewards brochure. Terms can differ by region and by employer entity (Health Plan/Hospitals vs. Permanente Medical Groups).
- Union-represented staff get retirement terms through their collective bargaining agreements, and these vary by union and region. Secondary reports say a cash balance plan with a 6% employer contribution will replace the defined contribution plan for some union staff hired on or after January 1, 2015, effective 2027. This was not confirmed on a KP page.
Other Kaiser Permanente retirement benefits
- Retiree health benefits depending on age and service
- Tuition reimbursement up to $3,000 a year
How to make the most of your Kaiser Permanente 401(k)
- Always get the full match. Contribute enough to earn every matching dollar. 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 Kaiser Permanente match 401(k) contributions?
Kaiser Permanente does not match employee savings in the TSA (403(b)) plan for salaried and non-union staff. Instead it makes a fixed contribution and also provides a pension. After 2 years of service, KP puts 5% of base salary into the Supplemental Savings and Retirement Plan. You do not have to contribute to get it.
When does the Kaiser Permanente 401(k) match vest?
Supplemental Savings and Retirement Plan contributions vest immediately. The pension vests after 5 years of service.
When can I join the Kaiser Permanente 401(k)?
You can save in the TSA plan from hire. The 5% employer contribution starts after 2 years of employment. Pension participation starts after 1 year of service with 1,000 hours.
Does Kaiser Permanente offer a pension?
The Kaiser Permanente Retirement Plan is an employer-paid defined benefit pension based on pay and years of service. It vests after 5 years.
Sources (last verified 2023)
- Your Total Rewards at Kaiser Permanente: Salaried and Non-Union Non-Exempt Employees, Southern California — Kaiser Permanente (2023-03)
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.