Getting the full match is a 50–100% instant return
If your employer matches 50% of the first 6% and you contribute 3%, you leave half the match on the table. That's a permanent 3% pay cut.
Max contributions ($23,000 in 2024, plus $7,500 catch-up over 50) grow tax-deferred. At 7% for 30 years, $23k/year becomes $2.3M.
The 4% rule says you can withdraw 4% of your balance annually with historically zero chance of running out over 30 years. $2M → $80k/year income.