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system
401k with paltry match or spy etf?
user
i think you understood much of what i say, in general. unfortunately, i didn't follow patches math.  what i gleen from your summary is a 1% match to the 10% invested, but a .8% expense. the etf voo has a .05% annual fee, a bit better than spy.  a quick few calculations show that the 10% bonus does offset a long run of the .75% excess expense compared to external investing. after decades, the 401(k) appears to still be a bit ahead. not the dramatic delta suggested in the prior answer, but enough to stay with the 401(k) in this situation. the tiny match still makes the difference. edit - the question you linked to. the 401(k) had no match, and an awful 1.2% annual expense. this combination is deadly for the younger investor. always an exception to offer - a 25% marginal rate earner close to retiring at 15%. the 401(k) deposit saves him 25, but can soon be withdrawn at 15, it's worth a a few years of that fee to make this happen. for the young person who is planning a quick exit from the company, same deal.
assistant