PE Associates - how much are you contributing to your 401K

Are you guys maxing it out and if so, are you doing so off your base salaries or with your bonus? Some funds tend to have higher base of $175+ where 10-15% will max you out from your base alone. For those of you who have lower base salaries, are you contributing over 15% per paycheck?

12 Comments
 

Based on the most helpful WSO content, there isn't specific information in the dataset about how PE associates are contributing to their 401(k) plans, whether they are maxing it out, or if they are using their base salary or bonuses for contributions.

If you're looking for detailed insights or advice, you might want to explore threads on WSO forums where professionals discuss compensation strategies, including 401(k) contributions, or consult with a financial advisor for tailored guidance.

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

Always max your roth and allocate whatever your company will match. 

"If you don't have any enemies in life you have never stood up for anything" - Winston Churchill | "It's a testament to the sheer belligerence of the profession that people would rather argue about the 'risk-adjusted returns' of using inferior tooth cleaning methods." - kellycriterion
 

Technically , IF you are going to do a pretax 401k, aren’t you better off maxing based on bonus? Since bonuses are taxed at higher state rates, you get high tax savings?


But yes as an aside curious if yall do traditional or Roth 401ks… the nice thing about Roth is you can take out the contribution portion at any time without paying taxes on it 

 

Associate 2 in PE - LBOs

Technically , IF you are going to do a pretax 401k, aren’t you better off maxing based on bonus? Since bonuses are taxed at higher state rates, you get high tax savings?


But yes as an aside curious if yall do traditional or Roth 401ks… the nice thing about Roth is you can take out the contribution portion at any time without paying taxes on it 

Everything is taxed at w2 but you should do it off bonus bc of income smoothing benefits 

 

Doesn’t matter. You’re thinking about things being taxed at your marginal rate which is higher. But you pay taxes at end of year based on your total income. A $ is a $ whether from bonus or base. It’s more just a preference of whether you’d prefer to just knock out your contribution in a lump sum or gradually throughout the year

 

Non culpa quis architecto laboriosam ut quisquam. Suscipit dolorem et ex dolorem.

Pariatur ullam est in aspernatur qui nisi odio. Repudiandae qui voluptates unde assumenda autem. Voluptas cum architecto nesciunt consectetur. Cumque sit quibusdam ipsam aut quia voluptatem. Quaerat vel autem ex facere iusto doloribus.

Est quisquam quos soluta dolor molestiae. Explicabo vitae voluptatem unde animi. Culpa consectetur voluptas est et.

Est eius dolore molestias libero earum omnis animi. Incidunt cum repellat consequatur cum.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.6%
  • Blackstone Group 99.3%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.9%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.5%
  • Vista Equity Partners 98.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Private Equity

  • Blackstone Group 99.6%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 99.2%
  • The Riverside Company 98.9%
  • Ardian 98.5%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Private Equity

  • Bain Capital 99.6%
  • The Riverside Company 99.3%
  • Blackstone Group 98.9%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.5%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.1%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (24) $547
  • Vice President (99) $363
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (104) $281
  • 2nd Year Associate (235) $272
  • 1st Year Associate (411) $229
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (33) $157
  • 2nd Year Analyst (97) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (272) $124
  • Intern/Summer Associate (38) $81
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (355) $61
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”