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What to know: In an analysis, author John Rekenthaler evaluates the tax advantages of IRA and 401(k) retirement accounts compared to taxable accounts. After 40 years, the after-tax value for IRA/401(k) investments is higher than for taxable accounts, with benefits varying by portfolio type: A 17 percent improvement for a no-dividend portfolio, 30 percent for an index fund, and 44 percent for a balanced fund.

Key takeaways: As you save for retirement, long-term investments benefit most from tax-deferred accounts, especially with early contributions benefiting most from compounding and a 401(k) with employer matching. On the flip side, however, these advantages can diminish for short-term holdings due to sooner tax obligations.