[ksherlock]

With a 401k, you can contribute up to 18,000 and your employer might match some amount. That number reduces your current taxable incoming (you pay tax when you withdraw). It really don't matter how long you're there or how often you switch jobs because it's your money and you can move it around when you change jobs.

With a Roth IRA, you can contribute up to $5,500 (depending on your income -- it phases out from $118,000 -- 133,000). You might be too rich to make use of it. You're taxed on that money now but not when you withdraw.

Indecisive? do both.

You still have another month to contribute to your 2016 Roth IRA, so if you have the money available, you should do that. (And if you don't have available money, you should probably just stick to a 401k since it's automatically withdrawn from your paycheck).

[kspaans]

Yup, the employer-matched contributions are free money! You should absolutely take as much of those as you can. You'll always have access to the 401k account even if you leave the company. It doesn't matter a whole lot if your investments are spread across a bunch of different 401k providers/accounts.

[kasey_junk]

You should almost always roll your 401k into an ira soon after leaving your employer.

If your employer goes out of business it can be difficult (read involves the dept of labor) to get access to your money.