<prompt> Human: In my case, I have an employer-matched 401k and an employer savings fund they contribute to to supplement a pension. Theyre both pointed at target-date index funds and I dont touch them. In fact, aside from logging in once every few weeks to look at the pretty numbers and charts, I dont even think about them.But is this the right way of going about it? I have some debt Im working on, but its nothing I cant handle at the moment. Even once I do get to the point where the amount in my 401k matches the debts I owe, none of the interest rates are high enough to match 8 on the retirement, so to roll the retirement money into those debts assuming I eat the early withdrawl fee and taxes, which sound terrible wouldnt be in my best interest. At least, from what Ive learned from this subreddit and how Im looking at it.Am I on the right track here? Just pretend that money doesnt exist unless Im under extreme hardship like loss of job no food no roof over my head? Is there ANY scenario where thats not the case?  <response>: The phrase youre looking for is liquid assets.If your 401k is off-limits, then consider them illiquid. Theyre timestamped with your retirement date, and untouchable until then. So they are part of your net worth, but not liquid assets you would sell in a pinch e.g. Savings accounts, non-registered investments. 