Just optimizing for 401ks is going about it wrong. $500b from the stimulus went to corporations, which indirectly boosts stock prices, which indirectly boosts 401ks. (unless the market still crashes). It's essentially trickle-down economics. If we wanted to improve individual's retirement savings then it would more effective to just divert more of that $500b to social security.
The stimulus packages seem more focused on ensuring that asset prices remain inflated. The idea that the average person will see any major impact from the S&P500 dropping to 2000 points is laughable.
How many people do you know that truly had their lives ruined by the 2008 crash? Allowing the markets to find a bottom and recover creates opportunities for social mobility.
The people who don't want asset prices to drop are rich people. They are the ones who own the assets.
