My recommendation is Roth 401k match - note the the match will always be tax deferred. Likelihood is that their tax bracket will increase substantially through career. As it increases going all tax deferred up to max will make more sense. Then of course get the HSA and Roth IRA funded (until they can’t fund It due to income). When I was younger I always was conflicted between emergency fund, retirement, 529 accounts for kids, prepaying mortgage etc. not sure why I didn’t split the baby, but looking back I think having clear goals and direction would have helped. so . My advice ... never pass up free money (get 401k match, HSA match), make sure have adequate emergency fund for a (probably) longer period of time that old boomers like us would have had (6 months ?), then pile money into Roth IRA and Roth 401k until in 30+ marginal tax bracket. And then pile money into 401k tax deferred
Statistics: Posted by Coastfical — Thu Nov 20, 2025 11:52 pm — Replies 20 — Views 1252