Americans will put $2.8 million into their 401k over a career and end up with $750,000 of actual spending power.
If you max out your 401k at $23,500 per year for 30 years at 8% annual returns, you accumulate roughly $2.8 million on paper.
But $2.8 million in 2055 buys what $1.1 million buys today after average inflation of 3% per year. Then the IRS takes 25% to 35% on the way out. You're after tax, inflation adjusted number lands at around $750,000.
30 years of locking up capital and zero access during your highest earning decades. A 10% penalty if you touch it before 59.5 years old. A menu of mutual funds your employer picked for you. All for $750,000 at retirement age.
The 401k was designed in 1978 as a supplement to pensions and social security. Pensions are mostly gone. Social security will almost certainly pay reduced benefited for anyone under 45.
For high earners, putting every available dollar into a vehicle you cannot touch for 30 years while ignoring assets that generate cash flow today is an expensive mistake and decision.
Job interviews are always like, “What can you do?”
Sir, I’m a millennial born in the ‘90s. Just tell me what I need to know, and I’ll master it in three days.
24 years old.
Fully paid off Costco hotdog.
It's not "parents money".
It's not luck.
It's consistency.
It's discipline.
I grind EVERYDAY to live this lifestyle.
This is a commuter’s dream
We built these homes directly on the main interstate
The instant you leave your driveway, you’re already on the highway headed to work
We’ve cut commute times down by several minutes for all our new residents