Just want to pass on some information that a lot of people are not aware of.....
Everyone should have a IRA, don't think the goverment will provide for you when you are older, or become disabled early.

Try and max it out!

Also, its can NOT be touched, if for whatever reason you need to declare a bankruptcy....
Its is protected by law.

Never use it to pay down/off debt....NEVER.

Folks just do not understand what a fantastic tool the goverment gave us with these saving plans......

However, you just have to take advantage of it YOURSELF!

Stop complaining and do something, instead.....you will be amazed at all the other things that come with taking control of your life, for yourself!  

You can put more in, you just won't get a bigger tax offset/break.

Also, I believe it is 59 1/2 years of age, you can do what is called a catch up, and it allows you to put even more away.

You can do a pre-tax, where you get every buck into it, which lowers your "taxable" income for that year, which I did/do, and will pay taxes on it only when its withdrawn, which I might never do, or at a much lower taxed rate.

Lots of stuff out there, just "do it".
When I knew my retirement was looming, I took out over 20 grand to buy my truck that I knew I was going to use to pull my trailer in retirement.
I "loaned" it to myself at 4% interest, paid no tax on the withdraw, and I am paying myself back......

Can't do that now, because it was a option/tool, that was written into this account that was part of my employment. My employer would match up to 8% of the money I put in too.
If you have that offered where you work, you MUST take advantage of it, if not that is like throwing money away.

I agree with you to a certain point, and you eluded to it already, age....

If you are young, with years of work ahead of you, then I agree with your assessment.

I only brought it up, about putting more in, was because of the ability to skirt financial liability, during those working years, if you fall upon lean times and can not meet your obligations....WHICH, you should have already factored in BEFORE exposing yourself to such risk.....

Yes, you need some assets that are readily liquidated and readily accessible WITHOUT penalties.  
But lets be honest, everyone of us has risk beyond our control, its not just about bad planing, or failure to invest a certain way.

AND......as a youngster, you lock it away, you can remove the temptations that go along with buying whims