The Personal Finance Podcast

Episode: "How 401(K) Sprints Can Make You A Multi-Millionaire (By AGE!)"

Host: Andrew Giancola (Master Money)

🎙️ Released: October 6, 2025

Overview

In this episode, Andrew Giancola introduces the concept of the "401(k) sprint"—short periods (5–10 years, sometimes less) of intense, disciplined retirement investing. Rather than requiring unwavering discipline for a lifetime, Andrew advocates for focused effort during chosen windows, enabling both significant long-term wealth and flexibility for the rest of your financial journey. The episode walks through scenarios by age bracket and sprint length, breaking down the profound effects of compound interest, contribution timing, and the flexibility of structured sprints versus traditional "set it and forget it" retirement plans.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introducing the 401(k) Sprint Concept

• Sprint Defined:
  Short, hyper-focused periods where you max out 401(k) or similar retirement account contributions.
• Flexibility:
  Sprints can be “five, seven, or ten years, or even less… some people might want to go a couple years on, a couple years off” ([03:15]).

Why Sprints Work:

• Compound Interest:
  Money invested earlier has exponentially greater growth potential.
• Freedom, Not Perpetual Sacrifice:
  “Maybe I don’t have to be super disciplined for the rest of my life… maybe if I get hyper-focused for short periods of time, I can then build a tremendous amount of wealth…” ([02:38]).

2. Who Should Try a Sprint?

• Major Life Changes:
  “When my wife and I got married… we knew we wanted to have kids later. So during that couples DINK period (dual income, no kids), we tried to save as much as possible” ([07:15]).
  • Before kids, before buying a house, post-kids leaving home, approaching retirement.
• Career Peaks:
  Use raises, promotions, or bonuses for sprint contributions.
• Late Starters:
  Sprints plus catch-up contributions (in your 50s/60s) are powerful, even if you're behind.

3. Understanding the 401(k)

• Types:
  Traditional, Roth, Solo 401(k), and equivalents (403b, 457, TSP).

• 2025 Contribution Limits:

  • Under 50: $23,500 ([10:56])
  • 50–59: $31,000 (with $7,500 catch-up)
  • 60–63: $34,750 (super catch-up from Secure Act 2.0)

• Traditional vs Roth:

  • Traditional: Pre-tax; taxed on withdrawal; good if lower tax bracket in retirement.
  • Roth: Post-tax; tax-free growth and withdrawals; “no required minimum distributions” ([13:09]); ideal if you expect to be in a higher or similar bracket later.

4. Sprint Strategies (Described & Compared)

• Five-Year Sprint: Go “as hard as you possibly can for five straight years” ([15:25]).

• Seven-Year & Ten-Year Sprints: Adds significantly more to end totals, especially the earlier you start.

• Two On, Two Off Cycle: Alternate years of maximum contributions with years of little or no contribution ([16:18]).

  Notable Quote:
  “It’s not about just saving every year, but you can have these short bursts of intense savings that allows you to become financially independent” ([09:45]).

401(k) Sprint Outcomes By Age

1. In Your 20s ([21:01] onward)

Assumptions: 8% return; $23,500 annual contribution; zero starting balance; employer match NOT included.

• 5-Year Sprint (25–30):

  • Total Contributions: $117,500
  • Balance at 65: $2,038,008
  • Annual Withdrawal (@4% rule): $81,535

• 7-Year Sprint (25–32):

  • Contributions: $164,500
  • Balance at 65: $2,766,000
  • Withdrawal: $110,654

• 10-Year Sprint (25–35):

  • Contributions: $235,000
  • Balance at 65: $3,988,000
  • Withdrawal: $159,555

• Two On, Two Off (10 years of contributions—spread over 20 years):

  • Contributions: $235,000
  • Balance at 65: $2,931,000
  • Withdrawal: $117,240

Memorable Note:
“By putting $117,000 in this account [during your 20s], you end up with over $2 million. That is how powerful compound interest can be for you.” ([22:06])

2. In Your 30s ([30:00] onward)

Assumptions: 8% return, $23,500/year, starting balance $37,000 (median asset), employer match NOT included.

• 5-Year Sprint (30–35):

  • Total Contributions: $117,500
  • Final Balance at 65: $1,786,000

• 7-Year Sprint:

  • Contributions: $164,500
  • Balance: $2,281,000
  • Withdrawal: $91,263

• 10-Year Sprint:

  • Contributions: $235,000
  • Balance: $3,000,000
  • Withdrawal: $122,291

• Two On, Two Off (20 years):

  • Balance: $2,320,000
  • Withdrawal: $92,000

Andrew on feeling behind:
“So many people in their 30s come to me and say, ‘I didn’t start yet. What do I do?’… You are not behind. It’s never too late to get started investing.” ([33:33])

3. In Your 40s ([36:40] onward)

Assumptions: 8% return, $23,500/year, $58,000 starting balance (median), exclude match, stop after sprint.

• 5-Year Sprint:

  • Contributions: $117,500
  • Final Balance: $951,567
  • Withdrawal: $38,062

• 7-Year Sprint:

  • Contributions: $164,500
  • Final Balance: $1,184,000

• 10-Year Sprint:

  • Contributions: $235,000
  • Final Balance: $1,500,000

• Two On, Two Off:

  • Balance: $1,313,000
  • Withdrawal: $52,522

Key Takeaway:
“It is never too late to get started." ([40:32])

4. In Your 50s ([41:15] onward)

Assumptions: 8% return, $31,000/year (max w/ catch-up), $95,000 starting, exclude match.

• 5-Year Sprint:

  • Contributions: $155,000
  • Final Balance: $492,201
  • Withdrawal: $19,688

• 7-Year Sprint:

  • Final Balance: $603,000
  • Withdrawal: $24,161

• 10-Year Sprint:

  • Final Balance: $771,000
  • Withdrawal: $30,000

• Two On, Two Off:

  • Balance: $677,000

Andrew’s advice:
“If you’re starting late, do these sprints for longer. Do them as long as you possibly can…” ([41:47])

5. In Your 60s ([42:10] onward)

Assumptions: 8% return, $34,750/year (super catch-up), $145,000 starting, exclude match.

• 5-Year Sprint:

  • Contributions: $170,000
  • Final Balance: $430,410
  • Withdrawal: $17,216

• 7-Year Sprint:

  • Final Balance: $505,000
  • Withdrawal: $20,000

• 10-Year Sprint:

  • Final Balance: $586,000
  • Withdrawal: $23,457

On super catch-ups:
“The super catch up contributions under Secure Act 2.0 are incredibly powerful for people in their 60s.” ([42:20])

Final Takeaways & Action Steps

• Compounding is Most Powerful Early:
  “Your 20s and 30s, compounding does the heavy lifting. 40s and 50s, your contributions do a lot of the heavy lifting. In your 60s, catch ups and time to income do a lot of the heavy lifting.” ([42:32])
• It’s Never Too Late:
  Any age can benefit from a focused sprint. Even a few years of high-intensity saving can transform retirement prospects.
• Customize Your Sprint:
  Whether you prefer five years straight, alternating years, or “creatively come up with 401k sprints that matches what your lifestyle is” ([17:00]), the key is to find a plan that fits you—and stick with it for those periods of intensity.
• Share, Learn, and Connect:
  Andrew invites listeners to share their strategies via comments or email and encourages joining the Master Money Academy for support and motivation.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Discipline, when it comes to your finances, is putting your future self ahead of your current self." – Andrew ([33:55])
• "Time is your greatest ally when it comes to investing." – Andrew ([29:30])
• "Getting to your first $100k as early as possible changes your financial life." – Andrew ([22:35])
• "It is never too late to get started. If you’re listening to this and your parents haven’t caught up, send this to your parents so they understand that they could still get the ball rolling." – Andrew ([42:10])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:38] Introduction to 401(k) sprints and the purpose: Find freedom with short periods of intensity.
• [07:15] Life scenarios where sprints work—marriage, kids, career peaks.
• [10:56] 2025 401(k) contribution limits and catch-up amounts.
• [13:09] Traditional vs Roth 401(k) and choosing between them.
• [15:25] Sprint strategies: five, seven, ten years, two on/two off, and creative cycles.
• [21:01] Detailed age-based sprint scenarios start.
• [29:30] The power of starting early—compound interest in action.
• [33:55] Message to listeners in their 30s: It’s never too late.
• [36:40] 40s sprint scenarios.
• [41:15] 50s sprint scenarios.
• [42:10] 60s sprint scenarios.
• [42:32] The big-picture summary of compounding, contribution, and catch-up by decade.

Tone & Style

Andrew is clear, encouraging and motivational, blending practical data with relatable stories ("the messy middle" of the 30s, using DINK periods, windfalls, or late-life catch-ups). He demystifies financial jargon and invites listeners to adapt strategies to their lives—never shaming late starters, always empowering action.

Summary

This episode makes a compelling case for focused, intentional "sprints" of retirement savings. No matter your age or starting point, a few years of maximizing your 401(k) contributions can snowball into extraordinary wealth thanks to the power of compound interest. Andrew backs it up with detailed projections, actionable strategies, and a positive message: your future self will thank you for any intentional intensity you put in—starting right now.

For more in-depth personal finance guidance, connect with the Master Money Academy and follow Andrew Giancola’s resources and newsletter.