re: roth 401k vs regular 401k

Perhaps your suggestion is that the taxed amount that was “saved” amount each year by choosing the Traditional over the Roth, $6,080 in this case ($19,000 x 32%), was not invested elsewhere.

First of all, most folks simply don’t do that. They make whatever contribution they can to their 401k (very few max out), and certainly pay no mind to investing the tax difference.

Second, the amount that is “missing” are the gains only, because the principal was accounted for in the net income calculation, and depending on income level, those would be taxed at 15% at distribution. I don’t have my spreadsheet here at home, but I assure you it wouldn’t make up a $944,000 difference.