For me, rental properties have been a far superior investment to a 401k plan. Takes more work.
State employees in Colorado created their own retirement plan before Social Security came into effect. Very smart people. The heirs of the plan are future state employees. It's good to have state employees as your ancestors. Not quite as good as having Rockefellers, but damn close. Much better than having corporate managers controlling your pension plan. Little servility involved in my case. So my advice would be to find some good ancestors.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13