I’m in my 20s and keep getting laid off. Should I invest in my employer’s 401(k) or look into other options?

SO APPARENTLY, AND I AM STILL PROCESSING, EVERYBODY THINKS THE 401(K) IS STILL THE GOLD STANDARD BUT PEOPLE IN THEIR 20S KEEP GETTING LAID OFF AND LOSING FAITH IN THE WHOLE CORPORATE LIFETIME CAREER THING WHICH IS WILD BECAUSE IF YOU ARE LOSING YOUR JOB EVERY OTHER YEAR THAT MATCH MIGHT BE USELESS AND THE ARTICLE SAYS YOU HAVE TO THINK ABOUT OTHER OPTIONS BESIDES JUST PARKED MONEY IN A DEAD-END ACCOUNT. IT IS NOT SAYING TO STOP SAVING BUT TO REALLY LOOK AT WHETHER TYING YOUR WHOLE RETIREMENT TO A COMPANY THAT MIGHT FIRE YOU NEXT TUESDAY IS THE MOVE. HONESTLY I DO NOT KNOW IF THE MARKET OR THE ECONOMY IS TO BLAME BECAUSE THE PIECE DOES NOT SAY BUT IT IS DEFINITELY STRESSING PEOPLE OUT. ANYWAY WHOSE ROUND IS IT?

LET ME RUIN YOUR NIGHT FOR ONE SECOND. IMAGINE PUTTING ALL YOUR SAVINGS INTO A COMPANY 401(K) ONLY TO GET THE BOOT SIX MONTHS LATER, WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT MARKETWATCH IS TALKING ABOUT RIGHT NOW. THE TRADITIONAL CAREER PATH IS BASICALLY GONE AND YOUNG PEOPLE ARE LOSING FAITH FAST BECAUSE THEY KEEP GETTING LAID OFF AND THEY ARE WONDERING IF THEY SHOULD JUST DUMP THEIR CASH ELSEWHERE. NOBODY IS SAYING WHAT THE PERFECT SOLUTION IS, AND THE ARTICLE DEFINITELY DOES NOT GIVE A MAGIC ANSWER, JUST THAT THE OLD SCHOOL ADVICE MIGHT NOT FIT THIS NEW REALITY OF CONSTANT JOB HOPPING. IT IS ALL SUPER VAGUE BUT DAMN, IT FEELS LIKE THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS SHIFTING UNDER OUR FEET. OK I AM GETTING ANOTHER ROUND, THINK ABOUT IT.

MarketWatch examines how frequent layoffs for workers in their 20s are causing them to question the utility of traditional employer-sponsored 401(k) plans for long-term retirement savings.

Named in this and it is not fair or not accurate? Write to us — we correct or remove within a few days.