Gambling is more realistic. At least in poker you actually get access to your gains instead of the casino(govt) holding them hostage "tax deferred".
It's not a gain until you realize it and no matter what timing will be an issue because the exit terms are not up to the investor. The rest of the stock market valuation game is just about as factual as bitcoin at this point. The numbers mean nothing in relation to how things were measured before these huge bubble cycles.
Gambling is more realistic? Really? Is that what you advice young people, to play poker instead of investing in a 401K, IRA, Roth, HSA, and/or a taxable investment account?
In poker you get access to your gains, only if you have any gains at all. And after all your losses, you still pay taxes on any occasional, lucky "gains."
You have a problem with investing in the stock market in general, or just with tax deferred accounts? Why did you put it in quotes? Even if you ended up paying more taxes after retirement than you would before, it's still tax deferred.
Tax deferred accounts make it possible for people to invest more money earlier in life, which gives them more time in the market. Time in the market plus contribution rate are two of the best ingredients for success in stock market investing.
Either way, not all investment accounts are tax deferred, and tax deferred accounts can be converted to Roth at a time when you are in a lower tax bracket.
HSA accounts are 100% tax free, as long as you spend the money (principal and gains) on medical expenses. Everyone has medical expenses, and they are high, especially in retirement.
Then of course there's the taxable investment account. You pay taxes yearly on dividends, and you pay taxes on gains only when you sell. You get a tax credit if you sell at a loss.
All better than poker, but nowhere nearly as fun.
