<prompt> Human: Okay so I make 3,900 biweekly before taxes and recently started job in July, 2014. This past paycheck I contributed 15 to my 401k plan no match from employer and made 2395 after taxes. I have 24,000 in student loans three different federal loans interest rate ranges from 5-7. I want to invest in my 401k max it out by contributing 38 each month so I reach the maximum tax-free contribution by December. Only thing is if I do that, I can only pay 2300 towards my student loan after expenses each month which means it would take me 11 months to pay it off. So I was wondering does the tax-free benefit of putting money away in a 401k i.e. maxing it out outweigh the benefit of paying my student loan off first?  <response>: Please read the information found in the FAQ particularly I Have X ... What Do I Do With It?! and the Long-Term Investing Start-Up Kit You may find Your 401k and You: Basic Information and Your IRA and You: Basic Information worth a read as well. 