conversation: User (fncbrnr): "My six-month emergency fund should total approximately $16,500 -- about $2,750 a month. The high monthly costs are primarily due to student loans and a high-rent situation based on my city of employment. I am otherwise debt free. \n\nMy emergency fund is currently at $3,500, leaving it underfunded by about $13,000. Not good!\n\nUntil now, I have prioritized my 401k over everything else, including my emergency fund, resulting in a 401k of $115,000. I have done this because of a generous employee matching policy. My employer matches 50% of my monthly 401k contribution, up to 15% of my total salary. I'm currently contributing the max 15%, or $960 pretax each month, and the company adds an additional $480 per month. It's a great deal.\n\nAfter 401k contributions and typical monthly spending, I have approximately $400 left over each month to add to my emergency fund. It would take 33 months to have a fully-funded emergency fund at $400 per month, which seems like a dangerously long time. If I stop my 401k contributions and move it toward my emergency fund, I would reach the goal significantly sooner, about 13 months. But, I will give up a lot in both pretax savings and in company matching. \n\nFirst, I would miss out on company matching -- approximately $6,240 over the period. Second, I would pay an additional $4,400 in taxes on income that is no longer a non-taxed 401k contribution. So I'm losing $10,640 in potential income in order to hit my emergency fund goal in 13 months. \n\nI am relatively young -- under 30 -- and healthy. The money in my 401k can theoretically be accessed in an emergency -- via either a loan or a hardship withdrawal. So..... should I give up my 401k contributions and sacrifice $10,000 to rapidly fund my emergency fund? Or, continue the 401k contributions and grow the emergency fund at a slower rate? Any feedback welcome!"
  Self: "Personally, I'd keep contributing.  As you said, if you need the money at any point, you can access it by taking a loan or even incurring a penalty if the situation were that dire.  That's a hell of a good match."
  