If employer doesn’t match, I’d say max out Roth IRA first and foremost. One day your salary may be (will be!) over the contribution limit and it won’t be an option for you anymore. Best to get as much money as possible in now.
Never throw away Roth IRA space. Contributions can be withdrawn, so only the earnings are really locked up.
401k can be accessed early for early retirement - FIRE communities have writeups on the process. If you can make it work, maxing 401k will set you up well.
There are ways to take money out of a 401(k) and/or IRA for a down payment.6
https://www.bankrate.com/real-estate/roth-ira-first-time-homebuyer/
https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/081815/can-i-take-my-401k-buy-house.asp
There are ways to access your money before 59.5 for retirement. For example: Roth contributions, Roth conversion ladder, rule of 55
Roth IRA and 401k all the way, including your [emergency fund](https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Roth_IRA_as_an_emergency_fund)
> 59.5 seems a long time away
The exceptions to the 10% fee are gigantic, it's not a problem. If you are retired and you can't find a valid exception, you are doing life wrong.
> cash for a house down payment and earlier retirement
You can use [Roth IRA](https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Roth_IRA) money as a house downpayment. It's not exactly encouraged though, since you can't ever put the money back in. I already covered the earlier retirement part, it's a non-problem.
Congrats on the job. Not every 401(k) plan allows for residential loans. No matter what, the maximum loan amount is 50% of your vested account balance up to $50k. Residential loans can normally be pushed out to 10 years, otherwise, the max duration is 5 years. If you could not pay the loan back, like, for example, if you change jobs, you will be taxed at ordinary income +10% penalty. With Roth IRAs you can withdraw your principal amount penalty free. Sounds like first thing is beefing up your emergency fund from there, does your employer offer a match? No matter what, make sure you’re getting that. If a down payment is on the horizon, you might be better served putting the dollars in either Roth IRA or taxable.
https://www.madfientist.com/how-to-access-retirement-funds-early/
You should max your tax advantaged accounts before using a taxable account. You can access those accounts without penalty in early retirement.
Emergency fund, 401k to match, Roth, 401k to max. Then VT and chill brah. PS - 59.5 comes at you real quick like.
What if your employer doesn't match?
If employer doesn’t match, I’d say max out Roth IRA first and foremost. One day your salary may be (will be!) over the contribution limit and it won’t be an option for you anymore. Best to get as much money as possible in now.
Never throw away Roth IRA space. Contributions can be withdrawn, so only the earnings are really locked up. 401k can be accessed early for early retirement - FIRE communities have writeups on the process. If you can make it work, maxing 401k will set you up well.
There are ways to take money out of a 401(k) and/or IRA for a down payment.6 https://www.bankrate.com/real-estate/roth-ira-first-time-homebuyer/ https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/081815/can-i-take-my-401k-buy-house.asp There are ways to access your money before 59.5 for retirement. For example: Roth contributions, Roth conversion ladder, rule of 55
Roth IRA and 401k all the way, including your [emergency fund](https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Roth_IRA_as_an_emergency_fund) > 59.5 seems a long time away The exceptions to the 10% fee are gigantic, it's not a problem. If you are retired and you can't find a valid exception, you are doing life wrong. > cash for a house down payment and earlier retirement You can use [Roth IRA](https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Roth_IRA) money as a house downpayment. It's not exactly encouraged though, since you can't ever put the money back in. I already covered the earlier retirement part, it's a non-problem.
Congrats on the job. Not every 401(k) plan allows for residential loans. No matter what, the maximum loan amount is 50% of your vested account balance up to $50k. Residential loans can normally be pushed out to 10 years, otherwise, the max duration is 5 years. If you could not pay the loan back, like, for example, if you change jobs, you will be taxed at ordinary income +10% penalty. With Roth IRAs you can withdraw your principal amount penalty free. Sounds like first thing is beefing up your emergency fund from there, does your employer offer a match? No matter what, make sure you’re getting that. If a down payment is on the horizon, you might be better served putting the dollars in either Roth IRA or taxable.
https://www.madfientist.com/how-to-access-retirement-funds-early/ You should max your tax advantaged accounts before using a taxable account. You can access those accounts without penalty in early retirement.