I'm not sure what numbers you are using / getting, you didn't show the math. But if you start with 30K at 18. You would have ~$800,000 at 65.
If you start at 30, and put in $600 a month, each month, until 65. You would have ~$1,088,000.
Yes, in the end you get more, but that is with contributing for 35 years each month, vs just contributing in the beginning. I know those aren't the exact numbers that would be relevant because it was actually making the annual contribution for 4 years, not the lump sum. But the numbers were similar, yes you have more in the end, but you could also have a reasonably similar amount without actually working and contributing for 35 years.
If you start at 30, and put in $600 a month, each month, until 65. You would have ~$1,088,000.
Yes, in the end you get more, but that is with contributing for 35 years each month, vs just contributing in the beginning. I know those aren't the exact numbers that would be relevant because it was actually making the annual contribution for 4 years, not the lump sum. But the numbers were similar, yes you have more in the end, but you could also have a reasonably similar amount without actually working and contributing for 35 years.