<prompt> Human: Quick question: if someone had the option of a Roth 401k vs a Traditional 401k through their employer, why would anyone ever want to go traditional if the gains in a Roth are not taxed upon distribution? Wouldnt most people be losing tons of money to taxes upon distribution where they would otherwise not in a Roth? Something doesnt make sense to me --Because even being taxed on, for example, 10,000 dollars at 35 when one is 30 years old and putting that into a Roth is still way, way less than letting that 10,000 grow over the next 37 years in a traditional and then getting taxed on ALL those gains.  <response>: There is more to it than just comparing your current tax rate and your expected tax rate when you withdraw money from it. A traditional 401k lowers your adjusted gross income and earned income, which can get or improve other tax breaks, like Earned Income Tax Credit, the Daycare Credit, and more. Also, some people might not take out everything the year they retire, possibly a small enough amount each year so their Social Security wouldnt be taxable.Edit: Corrected typo. 