<prompt> Human: So I just discovered that when I was 16 and worked in a grocery store through highshool and college that I signed up for the 401k. I guess younger me was smarter than older me.It has just under 3000 in it. What should I do with it? I have a pension with the union I work for.I was thinking about withdrawing it and throwing at my car. I understand that I will only get about 2000 of it after penalty and taxes. Unless rpersonalfinance has a better idea. I just cant seeing it being much of a use since it is a small amout.  <response>: I used this calculator to estimate the actual numbers... you would probably end up with 1,800.Assuming you retire in 30 years and you earn 7 annually on the money, it will be worth over 20,000, which, even assuming 3 inflation, is close to 10,000 of todays money.So... is 1,800 today worth more to you than 10,000 in todays dollars when you retire? 