Why this is correct (Q2 — contribute 6% to capture 50% match up to 6%): A match of “50% up to 6%” means the employer contributes half a dollar for every $1 you contribute, but only on contributions up to 6% of your salary. To receive the full employer contribution you must contribute the maximum base that the employer will match — here that base is 6% of pay. The math is simple conceptually: the match percent (50%) applies to your contribution up to a 6% cap. If you contribute less than 6%, you leave some of the match on the table. Contributing more than 6% doesn’t increase the match beyond the employer’s cap; it only increases your own savings. This is why the plain answer “6% of salary” is correct: it is the contribution level that triggers the full employer match under that formula.

Practical takeaway & application: Treat employer matching rules as “free money” that’s conditional on your own deferral. When planning contributions, prioritize at least enough to capture any available match — it’s an immediate, guaranteed return (50% of your contribution up to the cap). After capturing the match, decide whether to increase retirement deferrals, bolster an emergency fund, or pay down high-interest debt. If budget permits, contributing beyond the match can still be valuable, but the priority order for many savers is capture match → emergency fund → extra retirement or debt repayment. Always confirm the plan’s exact match language (some match on each pay period; others use annual true-up).