A 27-Year-Old With $1 Million Inheritance Says ‘I Just Feel Stupid Fretting Over A 6% Match’ While Debating Future Savings

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A 27-year-old finance worker who inherited $1 million from his late mother wrote on Reddit, “I just feel stupid fretting over a 6% match,” referring to his company’s retirement plan. He earns $120,000 a year and said he’s unsure whether to keep saving now that the inheritance is held in a trust.

In a post shared on Reddit’s r/Fire, the original poster explained that he doesn’t plan to draw from the trust except to buy a house. He said he still wants to work but feels conflicted about continuing 401(k) contributions when he already has significant assets.

“At the same time, it feels bad to waste “free money” from the 6% match,” he wrote. The poster added that life “feels like it has no purpose” following his mother’s passing, despite expecting to inherit more in the future.

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Some commenters urged the OP to keep investing while finding new motivation. “Yeah, definitely keep adding to at least the match. The rest I would put in Roth and taxable brokerage. Don’t be a hippy but find some purpose and do that. Life’s too short and your mom gave you a pass!” one poster wrote.

“You should be maxing the 401k to take full advantage of the tax-advantaged investments,”
 another Reddit user added.

Others were more skeptical, saying his hesitation made little sense for someone who works in finance. “How can you ‘work in finance’ and not realize the free 6% match is the minimum you should do?” one commenter wrote.

“You work in finance and you’re not sure if you should take a 100% instant return on a 6% match?” another added.

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According to Fidelity’s latest quarterly retirement analysis, average 401(k), 403(b) and IRA balances hit record highs, rising on average 8% year over year. The report found that only 5.5% of retirement savers changed their 401(k) allocation in the quarter, suggesting most stayed consistent amid market volatility. 

Vanguard’s “How America Saves 2025” reported similarly compelling context. It highlights that 61% of defined contribution plans now use automatic enrollment, a design choice that has correlated with higher participation rates.