Retirement saving requires key decisions: when to start, how much to save, and where to invest. The investing decision has drawn more attention as government regulators work to open 401(k) plans to alternative assets such as private market investments.

Below, we compare the paths of two hypothetical retirement savers and their outcomes.

Tale of two savers

Laura and JR are two 25-year-olds newly employed at the same company, in the same role.

Step 1: Deciding to Save

On her first day at work, Laura committed 10 percent of her $75,000 salary to her 401(k). That earned her company’s 3 percent annual match (it matches 50 percent up to 6 percent), and 13 percent in total savings. She still had room in her budget for weekends filled with activities.

JR was more worried about now. Rather th

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