Hi all,

I (40M) am on the path to financial independence and aiming to optimize my strategy for 2025–2026. My net worth is projected to reach $1.05M by April 2025, and I have the following breakdown:

• Deferred Comp 1 (vested): $350K
• 401(k) & Roth IRA: $300K
• Taxable Investments: $240K
• Deferred Comp 2 (vested): $75K
• Crypto, Gold: Remaining amount

I’m considering three options for my deferred compensation strategy leading into 2026:

Option 1:

Defer 40% of my salary, bringing Deferred Comp 1 to $550K by 2026.
Upside: More tax deferral and growth in the deferred account. Downside: Risk of investing in an unqualified plan.

Option 2:

Defer 20% of my salary, bringing Deferred Comp 1 to $450K by 2026, while investing the rest in taxable accounts to diversify.

Option 3:

Stop deferring and invest all available funds into taxable accounts, aiming for $400K by 2026.
Upside: Increased liquidity and diversification.

Questions:

1. Which option best aligns with my financial independence goals (growth, tax efficiency, diversification)? Retiring by 50.
2. How should I balance deferred compensation versus taxable investments for optimal results?
3. Are there other strategies or vehicles I should consider?

Appreciate your thoughts—thanks!

PS: Posting from throwaway account.