An Employer matching program is the opportunity for millions of Americans to get free money from their employer, deposited directly into their 401k. Employers will match a percentage of what you put in, as long as you set aside a certain minimum amount each year, with a limit on the amount per year. So when a company matches 5% of what you put in, this means for every $100 that you contribute to your retirement account, they give you $5 for free.