[ianferrel]

I'm sure he has an accountant handle that stuff.

It's (tax) free money, why not take it?

[drakenot]

Why wouldn't he contribute the 2017 max of $18,000?

[bgentry]

The $16k figure sounds like the amount that Apple contributed on Cook's behalf via matching funds.

[Retric]

In 2017 companies may only use up to $270,000 when calculating company matches to a 401k * whatever their max limit is for normal staff. 275 * 6% = 16.2k which sounds about right.

https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/401k-plans-deferrals-an...

[tedmiston]

This seems like the most logical answer in the thread

[refurb]

It’s not his contribution. It’s the company match.

[h4b4n3r0]

I really doubt he even knows about this. His accountant goofed, probably.

[rossbmiller]

The other way around, if his financial professionals weren't taking advantage of this total "gimme" of the planning world, he'd probably be concerned.