Unwise to Max Out Retirement Accounts?

[Anonymous]

The recent events and political instability over the past year have really shaken my confidence in the US system. At this point, I’m not sure if it is a safe assumption that the US will continue to exist or be stable place to hold assets for the next 30-40+ years. As such, I am reconsidering maxing out my retirement accounts going forward and just doing the bare minimum required to get the entire amount of my employer match. Is anyone having similar concerns right now or are you somehow more optimistic that the US is still a reliable place to invest for the next 30+ years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The recent events and political instability over the past year have really shaken my confidence in the US system. At this point, I’m not sure if it is a safe assumption that the US will continue to exist or be stable place to hold assets for the next 30-40+ years. As such, I am reconsidering maxing out my retirement accounts going forward and just doing the bare minimum required to get the entire amount of my employer match. Is anyone having similar concerns right now or are you somehow more optimistic that the US is still a reliable place to invest for the next 30+ years.

Yes exactly. Go for it. Sounds smart/well thought out.

[Anonymous]

You should be able to invest in something besides the S&P500 if you think the outlook is poor. I have much of my TSP in international for example.

[Anonymous]

Where will you invest instead?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The recent events and political instability over the past year have really shaken my confidence in the US system. At this point, I’m not sure if it is a safe assumption that the US will continue to exist or be stable place to hold assets for the next 30-40+ years. As such, I am reconsidering maxing out my retirement accounts going forward and just doing the bare minimum required to get the entire amount of my employer match. Is anyone having similar concerns right now or are you somehow more optimistic that the US is still a reliable place to invest for the next 30+ years.

Yes exactly. Go for it. Sounds smart/well thought out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Where will you invest instead?

+100

If your choice is investing or keeping cash, I’d choose investing.

[Anonymous]

You should check out where your retirement money is expected to be when you retire. Mine is projected to far exceed the amount I'll need, so I'm saving a lot of it until I get to a year's salary or so.

Keep in mind that you can in fact withdraw some of your retirement money early, you just have to pay a tax penalty. And, if it's headed into a ROTH you can withdraw all of the initial contribution at any time.

Initially, for the same reasons as you, I was trying to save a ton in a HYSA, but came to realize that keeping it invested made more sense, especially with the potential of withdrawing the initial ROTH contribution.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You should check out where your retirement money is expected to be when you retire. Mine is projected to far exceed the amount I'll need, so I'm saving a lot of it until I get to a year's salary or so.

Keep in mind that you can in fact withdraw some of your retirement money early, you just have to pay a tax penalty. And, if it's headed into a ROTH you can withdraw all of the initial contribution at any time.

Initially, for the same reasons as you, I was trying to save a ton in a HYSA, but came to realize that keeping it invested made more sense, especially with the potential of withdrawing the initial ROTH contribution.

Meant to say, "I'm saving a lot of what we would have put into a retirement account in a savings account."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You should be able to invest in something besides the S&P500 if you think the outlook is poor. I have much of my TSP in international for example.

This apprehension is not about the outlook for stocks and more about the potential confiscation of assets by the government or collapse/decline of US institutions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You should be able to invest in something besides the S&P500 if you think the outlook is poor. I have much of my TSP in international for example.

This apprehension is not about the outlook for stocks and more about the potential confiscation of assets by the government or collapse/decline of US institutions.

So you're worried about confiscation and you think putting less in your retirement account is going to protect you?

[Anonymous]

The biggest threat i see long term is inflation. That seems to be the only politically possible method for the government to handle the national debt, is to inflate their way out of it. Leaving money in a HYSA or CD and playing it safe will be like setting dollar bills on fire.

[Anonymous]

It's important to clarify your threat model, and what you think you can do to avoid the threat. Jumping out of frying pan into fire isn't helpful.

[Anonymous]

If the US goes down then the world goes down and your money will be worthless. Just relax people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You should be able to invest in something besides the S&P500 if you think the outlook is poor. I have much of my TSP in international for example.

This apprehension is not about the outlook for stocks and more about the potential confiscation of assets by the government or collapse/decline of US institutions.

That’s sensational and if it happens we’ll have even bigger problems, but if it makes you feel better, you could try to follow the lead of the preppers, like my MAGA dad who buys physical gold and updates his 2-year food and water supply every time a democrat takes the presidency. It helps him sleep better and maybe it would for you too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If the US goes down then the world goes down and your money will be worthless. Just relax people.

Very reassuring.