Wow - this is an eye-opener. Because I too expect taxes to be higher later than now I converted all of my traditional IRAs to Roths. But I never considered that I'd want to start contributing less to my 401k and put the money in taxable accounts. Figuring that the money growing tax free had to be a better deal than paying taxes on the gains now was just a given in my mind...but if I converted because I believed taxes would be higher later...why not use the same logic...

This discussion also makes me stop to consider the wisdom of funding my health savings account beyond what I anticipate I'll need year to year...

As a fed my 401k is the TSP with an unbeatable expense ratio...so my instinct is that I should still be maxing out my contributions..but I'll need to think this all through some more in light of the eye-opening comments you all have provided - thanks!