i think it is your own contribution.

哇，那大家还都MAX OUT，好大一笔钱啊,再加上公司的，要那么多钱退休吗

以下是引用heavysnow在2006-9-20 22:57:00的发言：
我没有max out啊

你为什么不呢？说来听听。。。

以下是引用dididida在2006-9-23 16:03:00的发言：

以下是引用heavysnow在2006-9-20 22:57:00的发言：
我没有max out啊

你为什么不呢？说来听听。。。

Why should we max out?

I personally think it is an upper limit, it does not mean a number we should try to get, right? (Just like if you lease a car, the max milage you can have is 20K per year. The 20K is the max, not the number we should aim at).

So I personally think: if you want the 401K to be your only (or at least, major) source of income after retirement, or if you do not have any other better plan, then try to save as much as you can. Otherwise, why bother?

Of course, if you can get match from the company, always get the full match.

also see: http://www.iwillteachyoutoberich.com/archives/2006/05/the_worlds_easi.html

In reality, the key is: do the calculation. Most of those who do not max out, the reason is simple: if they max out, they will have less take home money to spend (or not enough, for house rent or payment, car payment, food, movies, fashion clothes, big TV, etc.).

What 1976 has summarized covered most of the situations of why certain people choose not to max their 401k contribution.

The bottom line is if the company has the matching program, do participate.