Is there any reason to NOT max out a 401k? I’m 23 and will contribute about $10K this year ($86k salary at ~11.5%). Does it make sense to max it out? I don’t have any large upcoming milestone expenses except maybe going back to school in 2-3 years, but not for certain yet.

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Maxing out your 401k means you are locking up a significant amount of money for 4 decades. If you need liquidity further down the line, you may regret throwing that money into the 401k vault. Also, at your income you also quality for a Roth ira. You should max that first before you max your 401k.

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For most people maxing out 401k is a good strategy. You get tax deferred compounding.

I believe there are also provisions to take loans for select purposes from your 401k but I haven’t used it.

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Having access to, and maxing out, your tax deferred 401(k) is one of the best things in any professional's working life.

There are a number of ways to access your funds early, without penalty. Https://www.madfientist.com/how-to-access-retirement-funds-early/

Yes. Your taxes will go up over the next 40 years. Max the Roth side of the 401k if you have one. If not, contribute up to the match then max a Roth IRA. I would do a taxable account after as at some point you will want to get married, but a house, etc. but there could be an argument for just adding to the 401k beyond that.

Regardless of the state of future taxes, the Roth ira is still superior and should be maxed first.

Roth ira contributions can be withdrawn whenever without qualification or penalty because those funds have already been taxed. Additionally, you have a lot more flexibility in what you can invest in inside a Roth. My employer 401k is extremely limited to just a few index funds.

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I deposit only enough in 401k so that I am not losing out on free money via employer match.

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