Would you take a job in a company that did not have a matching 401(k)?

[Anonymous]

I have a choice between two situations. The first is a large healthcare provider that is very paternalistic. Both pension and 401(k) but salary not that great. Second is a small, foreign-owned company where I would have much more latitude to make decisions and drive change. However, they have a 401(k) plan but no match, nor plans for one. The dollars wind up pretty close if I take everything into consideration. If the second company had some kind of a match it would be a no-brainer because it is much closer to my house and the first one is very slow in terms of change - kind of like a 1970's mentality. I am 55 so of course retirement is something to consider and I plan to work another ten years and then semi-retire. The other factor is that the smaller place really wants to grow and with the right performance level on both sides, could probably do bigger and better things while with the healthcare provider, you can only get promoted if someone dies or on the rare chance that they fire a person.

Any ideas? I am smart enough to realize that there are no guarantees in the career world and none of us or prophets who can predict how a position will work out.

[Anonymous]

matching varies company to company. I currently work for a firm that "matches" 25 cents on the dollar of the 1st 6% you contribute. I would not make an emplayment decision around that.

Given your description of both opportunities, I would take the offer with the firm that does not match and try and save whatever the difference is (self-funding the match). Think about it this way - if the opportunnity is so much closer to your house, you are saving on gas each day!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:matching varies company to company. I currently work for a firm that "matches" 25 cents on the dollar of the 1st 6% you contribute. I would not make an emplayment decision around that.

Given your description of both opportunities, I would take the offer with the firm that does not match and try and save whatever the difference is (self-funding the match). Think about it this way - if the opportunnity is so much closer to your house, you are saving on gas each day!

I see what you are saying. 25% on 6% is not going to make you rich, although evertyhing helps. And I did take into effect the commuting - the first is a 56 mile round trip on a horrible road and the second is 26 miles roundtrip with less wear and tear. The thing is, there is also a dollar value to a shorter commute in terms of family time and other considerations.

[Anonymous]

At your age, I would pick the one with lower chances of being laid off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At your age, I would pick the one with lower chances of being laid off.

That is definitely a consideration because with the healthcare provider unless you commit assault and battery, you have as safe a job as you can have nowadays.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At your age, I would pick the one with lower chances of being laid off.

That is definitely a consideration because with the healthcare provider unless you commit assault and battery, you have as safe a job as you can have nowadays.

So what you're saying is I can commit assault or battery and not be fired? Just don't do both? Done!

Jokes aside, at your age this would be my #1 worry (job security)