The current formula
87.5% of the first 8% is a potential 7% of base salary
Imagine two employees who both contribute 8% all year. One focuses only on the percentage; the other also checks the annual funding schedule, December 15 employment condition, and vesting record. The second employee is planning around the benefit as it is actually administered, not just the headline formula.
Honeywell's public retirement page says the company matches the first 8% of eligible pay at 87.5%, up to 7% of base salary. A participant must make an active election and contribute from eligible pay to receive a match.
The phrase “up to” matters. The actual dollar amount depends on eligible pay, the employee contribution rate, plan limits, and whether the participant satisfies the plan's eligibility conditions. Highly compensated employees may also face lower contribution limits under the public 2026 description.
Annual funding
The match is not described as a per-pay-period deposit
Honeywell says the matching contribution is made annually in a lump sum by the end of January following the calendar year in which the employee contributes. The 2025 Form 11-K similarly says the non-variable match was earned in 2025 and paid in January 2026.
That creates a different planning rhythm from a plan that deposits a match with every paycheck. Contribution elections happen during the year, while the employer contribution is determined and funded later.
The date condition
Active employment through December 15 can decide whether a contribution is received
The public page says the participant must remain actively employed by Honeywell through and including December 15. The Form 11-K adds that participants in the covered non-variable-match units had to be actively employed on December 15, disabled, or deceased to receive that year's match.
Because an exception, leave status, transaction, or employee population may change the answer, confirm the current SPD and your own status before choosing a separation or retirement date.
- Confirm your plan and participating unit
- Confirm eligible pay and your current contribution election
- Verify the December 15 rule and any applicable exception
- Keep the January funding date on the transition calendar
Ownership
Receiving the match and being vested are separate questions
Honeywell's public page says employee contributions are always fully vested and matching contributions become fully vested after three years of service. The match is initially allocated to the Honeywell Common Stock Fund and can be transferred to other plan funds after it vests, according to that page.
Check your personal vested balance and service record. An annual match can be credited to the account while remaining subject to the plan's vesting rules.
Before acting
Use four documents to verify your answer
Start with your current summary plan description, Fidelity account details, service record, and any separation or retirement communication. Ask the plan administrator which participating unit and match formula apply to you.
This guide is educational and summarizes public sources reviewed on the date shown. It is not a plan interpretation or individualized financial, tax, investment, or legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
Questions to take back to the documents
What is the publicly described Honeywell 401(k) match?
The current public page states 87.5% of the first 8% of eligible pay contributed, up to 7% of base salary, for the population it describes.
When does Honeywell fund the annual match?
The public page says by the end of January following the calendar year in which the employee contributed.
Do all Honeywell employees have the same match?
Do not assume so. The Form 11-K refers to certain employees, participating units, and non-variable matching contributions. Your current plan documents control.
Primary sources
What this guide is based on
Sources were reviewed on the dates shown. Later plan amendments, filings, agreements, or employee communications may change the answer.
Apply the education carefully
Connect with an advisor experienced with Honeywell employees.
Share the planning situation and timing—without account numbers, exact balances, or documents—so Aerospace Wealth can review an appropriate employer-specialist introduction.