<prompt> Human: I dont see the benefit of opening a traditional or even a ROTH IRA because I can contribute either or to my 401k. I also get a match. 401k investments without a lot of capital are usually institutional funds and low expenses. I should not be opening an IRA until I can max out the 401k correct?  <response>: No. See the prime directive, and specifically the flowchart, in the sidebar. Standard advice here is 401k match, then IRA, then max out 401k. In some situations like if you want to contribute traditional but cant in an IRA, you should max out 401k first, but most of the time, no. 