Subject: Re: Was the 401(k) a Mistake?
, but only 60% chose to participate despite my best efforts with strong reminders of the 3% match.

Sadly, too many people think of investing as spending. "You bought some stock, so I get to buy something, too!"

Also, too many people only want to get something for free only if they don't want to put out any effort.
When I retired early at 58, I had a string of people come into my office and ask how I did it, so they could retire early, too. I told them that I worked 40 hours a week for Motorola and another 10 hours a week at investing.
Every single person lost interest at that point.