401k by itself is a great idea. Making it optional, not requiring employer match and allowing fees to run rampant - not such great ideas. Vanguard is a great

401k by itself is a great idea. Making it optional, not requiring employer match and allowing fees to run rampant - not such great ideas. Vanguard is a great example of a low fee fund manager. Many good companies provide strong match and help secure the future of their workforce. But the problem is that these are all optional in the spirit of personal choice and empowerment. Problem is, to most people these are disempowering because the compulsion to spend is too high. If all make a little less take home, but their retirement accounts are filled like the IRS coffers, overall prices decline because of less disposable income, but in the end, people get to retire. For those that unfortunately doesn’t make it to retirement, it would be good if the accumulated wealth could be inherited and/or donated.