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12% 401(k) Contribution - What to do? [USA] (kbin.social)

submitted 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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Hi everyone, I recently landed a new job where the base 401(k) contribution for all FTEs is 12% of your salary. This is regardless of your contribution, with no additional match. I realize that this is unusual for most people and it is for me as well. In my last job, I got up to a 6% match so I maxed that out and didn't think on it any further.

I currently contribute an additional 5% on top of the 12% that my employer provides, but got chatting with a coworker who mentioned that they were advised to take that money and, since it was not being matched, put it into the stock market instead. I'm open to learning, but have very little knowledge of stocks, cryptocurrency, or likely any other potential option you may suggest.

For a little extra information, I am in my mid-twenties, earn mid-five-figures/year, have little saved for retirement right now, and am open to any suggestions you may have.

So, what would you do in my situation? Thanks for any replies!

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[–] KeepFlying 1 points 10 months ago

Does your 401k allow you to invest in individual stocks? Does it let you invest in an index fund that matches your investment interests?(like one for just tech companies, or just solar companies, etc).

If you're able to invest from within the 401k, do it. You'll get tax benefits.

In terms of general advice though, I'd lean on the 401k here and invest in large index funds (total market, or at least tracking the SP500, or target date funds). This assumes you already have a fully funded emergency fund though.