Given how low the current tax rates are, does it not make sense not to contribute to a 401k/IRA? Roths will always make sense, but in anticipation that tax rates will go up in the future, distributions would be taxed at a higher rate than hypothetical contributions would be taxed at today. Yes, you get tax-free growth, but if done wisely, investing in a brokerage account can be done tax efficiently. I am all for account diversification, but I feel like when you hit a certain point in retirement accounts (unless you make a crazy amount), it does not make sense.