You definitely can't put too much in early on! In fact that's the best thing to do, as you realize. Indeed, most people in their 20's and 30's aren't thinking ahead, and then they need to play catch up in their 40's and 50's. As you note, it is also why some employers automatically enroll new employees in 401K's at some minimum percentage, to at least get them investing some small amount out of each paycheck. I've heard my own employer (the CEO of the company) say that he's surprised that many people aren't putting in enough to get the full company match, essentially throwing away free money. In my company you have to put in 5% to get the full company match, which works out to an extra 4% of your salary each paycheck. The CEO says he's surprised how many people are throwing away that money, and as he says, while it means he is paying less money out to people's 401K's, he wishes all his employees at least put in the amount to get the full match. He brings this up annually when there's the benefits meeting and they talk about the 401K plan.
I max out my 401K, as I'm over 50 I can put in an additional $6K a year, anyway I put in the max amount and I have been for many years now. So for 2019 that means I'm putting in $25K to my 401K.
In my opinion, the more you can put in early on, the better off you are, and will make it easier when you get older and don't have to play catch up like many people do when they are in their 40's and 50's and realize they don't have enough saved up for retirement.
I max out my 401K, as I'm over 50 I can put in an additional $6K a year, anyway I put in the max amount and I have been for many years now. So for 2019 that means I'm putting in $25K to my 401K.
In my opinion, the more you can put in early on, the better off you are, and will make it easier when you get older and don't have to play catch up like many people do when they are in their 40's and 50's and realize they don't have enough saved up for retirement.
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