Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below.<\/p>\n
The idea of locking money away for retirement<\/a> can feel difficult for young people who are looking decades into an uncertain future.<\/p>\n One Gen Z investor said in a recent Reddit<\/a> post that they have \u201cmixed feelings\u201d about retirement accounts such as 401(k)s and IRAs and argued that \u201c40+ years from now, things will either be so bad that having paper wealth won\u2019t do much for you or we\u2019ll be so post-scarcity<\/a> that it won\u2019t matter that you saved a little bit on taxes.\u201d<\/p>\n They also suggested that keeping money more accessible in a regular brokerage account might make sense in a world that could become increasingly unpredictable.<\/p>\n Don’t Miss:<\/p>\n Older Investors Say They\u2019ve Heard This Before <\/p>\n The comments attracted responses from people ranging from young investors to retirees, and many said the concerns sounded familiar.<\/p>\n Several Gen X and baby boomer commenters said they grew up hearing predictions about nuclear war, economic collapse<\/a>, inflation, oil crises and other disasters. Despite those fears, many said they continued investing and are now grateful they did.<\/p>\n One retiree said they remembered hearing similar arguments 50 years ago and ignored them. Today, they describe themselves as comfortably retired and glad they kept saving.<\/p>\n Others added that people often underestimate how quickly the years pass.<\/p>\n \u201cForty years feels like a long time to you,\u201d one person wrote. \u201cBelieve me, that changes when you get older.\u201d<\/p>\n Many argued that retirement investing isn\u2019t necessarily a prediction that the future will be perfect. Instead, it\u2019s preparation for the possibility that life continues much as it has through previous periods of uncertainty.<\/p>\n For one commenter, retirement investing is \u201cless about optimism and more about humility\u201d because nobody truly knows what the world will look like decades from now.<\/p>\n Trending: If your finances live across five apps, there\u2019s a better way \u2014 Quicken Simplifi connects your bank, investment, and retirement accounts in one dashboard, starting at $3.99\/month.<\/a><\/p>\n The Case For Saving Anyway <\/p>\n Many focused on the practical benefits of retirement accounts.<\/p>\n Some people pointed out that when your employer matches part of your retirement contributions, it\u2019s basically free money. Others said one of the biggest benefits is that your investments can grow without being taxed right away, and over time those gains can build on themselves and grow much larger.<\/p>\n There was also a viewpoint that if things ever got so bad that investments became worthless, it probably wouldn\u2019t matter whether your money was in a retirement account or a regular brokerage account<\/a> because both would be affected.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you want to gamble that self-aware robots will wipe out humanity\u2026 so be it,\u201d one person said. \u201cMake a rational decision based on the information you have now.\u201d<\/p>\n On the other hand, if the economy and markets keep working as they do today, retirement accounts can help you save on taxes and build more money over time.<\/p>\n See Also: If there was a new fund backed by Jeff Bezos offering a 7-9% target yield with monthly dividends would you invest in it<\/a>?<\/p>\n Several investors suggested taking a middle-ground approach by using both retirement accounts and regular investment accounts. They recommended getting any employer match<\/a> that\u2019s available, regularly putting money into retirement savings and then using a brokerage account for money you may want easier access to later.<\/p>\n Investors who want more say over how their retirement money is invested should consider options outside of traditional retirement plans. IRA Financial\u2019s<\/a> Self-Directed IRAs let you use your retirement savings to invest in things like real estate, private companies and cryptocurrency. Its flexible investment options, straightforward setup process, no hidden fees and accounts are designed to comply with IRS rules.<\/p>\n Ultimately, the greater risk isn\u2019t saving too much. It\u2019s reaching retirement age without enough saved.<\/p>\n As one commenter put it, \u201cYou do not want to be too poor to retire and too old to work.\u201d<\/p>\n Read Next: The IRS Could Take A Bigger Bite Out Of Retirement Savings Than Many Expect \u2014 Some Investors Are Seeking Professional Help<\/a><\/p>\n Building Wealth Across More Than Just the Market <\/p>\n Building a resilient portfolio means thinking beyond a single asset or market trend. Economic cycles shift, sectors rise and fall, and no one investment performs well in every environment. That’s why many investors look to diversify with platforms that provide access to real estate, fixed-income opportunities, precious metals, and even self-directed retirement accounts. By spreading exposure across multiple asset classes, it becomes easier to manage risk, capture steady returns, and create long-term wealth that isn’t tied to the fortunes of just one company or industry.<\/p>\n Arrived<\/p>\n Backed by Jeff Bezos, Arrived Homes makes real estate investing accessible with a low barrier to entry. Investors can buy fractional shares of single-family rentals and vacation homes starting with as little as $100<\/a>. This allows everyday investors to diversify into real estate, collect rental income, and build long-term wealth without needing to manage properties directly.<\/p>\n Vinovest<\/p>\n Fine wine and rare whiskey have historically moved independently of the stock market, making them a compelling alternative asset. Vinovest manages authenticated, insured portfolios of investment-grade wine and whiskey starting at $5,000<\/a> \u2014 sourcing, storage, and insurance all handled for you.<\/p>\n FarmTogether<\/p>\n Farmland has historically held its value through market volatility and delivered returns uncorrelated to stocks and bonds. For accredited investors, FarmTogether offers direct access to high-quality U.S. farmland starting at $15,000<\/a> \u2014 fully managed, with no landlord headaches.<\/p>\n EquityMultiple<\/p>\n For accredited investors looking beyond stocks and bonds, EquityMultiple provides access to vetted commercial real estate deals starting at $5,000,<\/a> with only ~5% of opportunities passing their due diligence process.<\/p>\n Bitcoin IRA\u00a0<\/p>\n For investors who want crypto exposure with tax advantages, Bitcoin IRA allows you to trade 60+ cryptocurrencies inside a self-directed IRA or roll over an existing 401(k),<\/a> with 24\/7 trading and institutional cold storage. Minimum $3,000 to start. Crypto investing involves substantial risk of loss and early withdrawal penalties apply.<\/p>\n Image: Shutterstock<\/p>\n This article A Young Person Has ‘Mixed Feelings’ About Retirement Accounts. Says, In 40 Years, Things Will Either Be So Bad Or So Good That It Won’t Matter<\/a> originally appeared on Benzinga.com<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a9 2026 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. 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