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REDDIT

Is the 401(k) actually worth contributing to beyond the employer match, or should I just put everything into a taxable brokerage?

S
May 1, 2026 · 10:05

So I’ve been wondering if the 401(k) past the employer match is actually worth it compared to just going straight to a taxable brokerage. My plan is match → max Roth → then I’m not sure. I know the tax-deferred growth is the main argument but between the limited fund options and higher expense ratios I’m not convinced it beats the flexibility of just investing in a taxable account. No HSA option for me either so it’s basically Roth vs 401(k) vs taxable after the match. What do you guys actually do?