re: Suggested % to contribute to youy 401K?

My $.02 is that each and every person should put a min. of 8% in to not only get your company match (if you have one), but to also get used to not "missing" that money.

I personally believe that everyone should max out their 401K...and do it as early as you can possibly afford to. If you are able to contribute to a Roth (ie. don't make too much money where you're not allowed to), I would nail that down and then Trad. IRA next as folks have already discussed in diversifying your taxable vs. non-taxable retirement income.

I also think that we're not too many years away from companies dramatically changing the way they "match" their employees 401K contributions on a large scale. If you look at a recent announcement from a very large US company in December re: the way they changed their 401K match (once a year lump sum in December), you'll see what I mean.