Economic and Political Insights

Economic and Political Insights

Personal Finance & Investing

Should You Save for Retirement or Pay Off Student Loans First?

Why Debt Freedom Beats Early 401(k) Contributions

David Bernstein's avatar
David Bernstein
Sep 13, 2025
∙ Paid

The Dilemma
You land your first job. HR says: “Start your 401(k)!” But you’re also staring at $30,000… $50,000… maybe even $100,000 in student loans.

For most borrowers, the smart move is not to start saving for retirement immediately. It’s to crush debt first.

Why Debt Reduction Comes First

  • Save thousands in interest

  • Build credit faster → cheaper mortgages,…

User's avatar

Continue reading this post for free, courtesy of David Bernstein.

Or purchase a paid subscription.
© 2026 David Bernstein · Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start your SubstackGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture