A hierarchy for retirement savings

If you have a fixed sum of money to invest every month or every year, which investment account type gives you the biggest bang for your buck?There are no one-size-fits-all answers, but this framework for retirement savings is a good starting point.1: Invest enough in a 401(k)/other company retirement plan to earn matching contributions.Even a lackluster match—say, 25 cents per dollar—is hard to beat by investing outside the plan, and it comes on top of any investment earnings.2: Invest in an IRA.Why choose an IRA over a 401(k)? IRAs often avoid administrative fees, and they offer an array of securities and a Roth option.But if your 401(k) has no administrative expenses, ultralow-cost investments, and a Roth option, you can make a full 401(k) contribution before moving to an IRA.2a: Invest