Are 401K accounts a “money jail”? Financial advisor reveals how Wall Street is out of touch with normal Americans.

Photo above - Christina whirled and now contemplates tapping her 401K to start a business, or possibly buy a farm . . .

If you’ve never heard of “Austin Dean, financial advisor”, don’t fret. Neither has Wikipedia. The only entry they have for Austin is former first baseman for the Miami Marlins. Austin Dean ,financial advisor is mostly invisible. You’d think some guy working in Genoa, Ohio for Edward Jones would try harder at self promotion if he hopes to snare new clients. In any case, Austin managed to flag down a reporter at “businessadvisor.com” to listen to his anti-401K rant. (see link below).

A few of the basics of 401K accounts seem to elude Austin. He believes that if you take premature withdrawals from a 401K then you trigger “capital gains tax”. Sorry Austin, D minus on that one. A premature retirement account withdrawal does trigger 2 tax events – income tax at your marginal bracket (almost always higher than capital gains) PLUS an early withdrawal penalty. The only reason I didn’t give Austin an F minus is that he does grasp the general concept that taking money out of your 401K before age 59 and ½ is a disaster.

The article then pivots hard into a hilariously inappropriate recommendation. Instead of fully funding your 401K (with employer matching contributions) Austin suggests that everyone “open a business”. Yep, he really said that. People can’t even afford frickin’ homes. Austin says turn your back on all that, and start your own business. If you don’t have any credentials or experience, I suppose that doesn’t matter. If you survive the experience you will now be in the “small business owner jail”. Which means you can’t get your money out of THERE either, unless you go to a business broker who finds a buyer for your Subway franchise or nail salon.

In the meantime, while you’re waiting for a business buyer, please don’t get sick or have a car accident. If you own a business, your daily onsite participation is usually a good idea. Your 401K doesn’t melt away into nothing if you step aside to get cancer treatment.

Sorry Austin . . . you mean well. And who WOULDN’T like to snare a bunch of new multi-millionaire investment clients for Edward Jones? My condolences.

I’m just sayin’ . . .


An advisor for wealthy people who have retired early explains why he thinks 401ks are 'money jail' and where he tells clients to invest instead