1990: The year of the first 401k. Because who needs a social safety net when you can have a fancy tax-advantaged retirement account?
1995: 401k's become a thing, and everyone starts investing in them like they're going to make them rich. Spoiler: most people just get richer in debt.
2001: Enron happens, and people realize 401ks are not as solid as they seem.
2005: Experts start offering questionable investment advice, because who needs a fiduciary duty, anyway? | 2005: 401k hoaxes become a thing, because who doesn't love a good scam?
2010: 401ks start to resemble a bad joke. "Invest in this thing, and you'll be set! Unless you're not, in which case, sorry."
2015: Millennials start asking, "Uh, can I just, like, withdraw my 401k, though?"
2020: The 401k becomes a punchline in every joke, and people start to realize that maybe they should've just gotten a good old-fashioned IRA.
Stay classy, 401k. Learn more about the 401k superheroes who try to save the day.