Airline Pilot With 17% No-Match-Required 401(k) Gets Green Light to Cut Personal Contributions

Quick Read Airline pilot Carlos receives an unconventional 17% employer 401(k) contribution with no personal contribution required, effectively covering his retirement savings floor and allowing him to reduce his personal 8% contribution to 4% without jeopardizing retirement. Clark Howard approved redirecting freed cash to debt payoff only for student loans with unfavorable rates or mortgages at mid-6% interest or higher, where early repayment provides guaranteed returns exceeding typical market altern ...