I heard the original intent behind 401k was meant to be far more flexible than just pick a box from "aggressive/medium/low risk" options laid out by employers. Thats the law anyway. But banks were quick to integrate their limited options into the system and somehow that is all we're left to choose from. Have also heard these same banks invest this guaranteed money into the lesser assets, leaving room in the real performers to invest their wealthy and alert clients' money. It all makes sense to me, so I didn't verify too hard. There are ways to free that money up and self manage, or invest even in metals, but it's not frictionless. Need to look into it more maybe

I think the original intent of 401ks was to take control of your money durning your dangerous productive years. Money is agency and they would like to be the only ones with any of that.