Most people are trading generational wealth for a 6% 401(k) match, and believe they are winning... As much as I hate comparing Bitcoin to fiat, there are too many Bitcoiners who opt into their employer-sponsored retirement plan instead of stacking the coin and genuinely think they are winning the trade. I ran the numbers comparing a traditional 401(k) (with a very generous employer match) against simply stacking Bitcoin with post-tax fiat. Assumptions: -$100k salary, 6% employee contribution -Employer matches 6% (total $12k/year into the 401(k)) -401(k) grows at 7% CAGR -Bitcoin grows at just 30% CAGR (a fraction of its 5-year average of 57%) -Bitcoin is bought after taxes (25% tax haircut up front) After 10 years: 401(k): ~$166k pre-tax → ~$124k after taxes Bitcoin: $192k post-tax Bitcoin still outperformed by ~$67,000 (54%) — despite contributing half as much annually. -This was extremely generous to the 401(k) and very conservative toward Bitcoin. Yet the prevailing wisdom — even in many Bitcoin circles like r/Bitcoin — is that you should take the immediate 'gain' and opt into your employer-sponsored plan. That’s how early we are. -We’re not just in a parallel financial system — we’re in a parallel reality. NYKNYC #Bitcoin #FiatTrap #Retirement #StackSats #Nostr

Replies (4)

Yup thats the math I did when I started my new job 5 years ago. HR lady said they would automatically enroll me, I said no. She couldn’t understand. The reality of putting your idea into practice over the last five years is way better than your conservative assumptions predict.
Props for seeing truth early. It took me longer than it should have for me to realize this. 🤦‍♂️ I guess this gets a little bit better if the plans allow you to contribute to the Bitcoin ETFs, but it’s still separating people from their keys and the real promise of Bitcoin.
Yeah I would rather not contribute at all and forego any match or tax benefits so i can have the custody and sweet return
nepsis's avatar
nepsis 4 months ago
Spot on. I convinced my wife to bail on her 401k last year. Eating the early withdrawal penalty was worth it.