The 401k Deal Nobody Would Take | Average vs Actual Returns (Ep. 271)

Without the Bank Podcast · May 28, 2026 · 13m

Your 401k says 25% average return — but your actual return could be zero. Here's the math.

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Part 4 of the 401k Half-Truths series breaks down the biggest illusion in retirement planning: average vs actual returns. You've probably heard your 401k grows "5-10% on average" — but that number hides a painful truth. Tarisa walks through a real math example that shows how a 25% average return can equal a 0% actual return, shares her own mom's experience of…