<prompt> Human: Hello Reddit-Im at a company whose 401K options do not include any sort of match, has recurring annual fees and around an average of 1.5 fee on each investment option they had. I was looking at skipping the 401k and going straight to other forms of investment RothTraditional IRA, Vanguard mutual funds. Ive also got a 401k from my old job I plan on keeping around. From my understanding of the situation, the main thing a 401K gets me even without these advantages is 18,000 per year in pre-tax dollars. With other investment options it looks like I can choose a place without these fees. I can give more information as needed, but Ive got two basic questions out of this: 1. The IRS defines if you can deduct your money from an IRA based on if you are not covered by a retirement plan at work. If I am choosing not to participate in my companys 401K, does that mean I am not covered by a retirement plan at work?2. How bad is the 401k I mentioned above? Is a bad 401k better than no 401k? Would skipping it be straight up a bad idea? I know that my retirement limit is only 5500 versus 18,000 in a 401k, but if Im putting that money into a mutual fund, what else am I missing out on?Thanks Reddit.  <response>: Been there done that. No match 401k with 1.5 or so expense ratio. I still maxed it out because that was at the time 17k or so money that wasnt taxed. I knew one day Id switch jobs or theyd switch the plan company eventually listened to us and provided lower cost index funds, then terminated the plan upon merger and I was able to rollover to IRA and join new plan with a match 