If the company I work for does not offer a 401K, can I participate in someone else's company?? I always thought that somehow this system was tied up to the wages you earn from your employer... but a competing firm offered to put me in their 401K... (well, we're also in talks about possible employment/partnership so I don't know if I misunderstood...)

First time I have heard of anything like that unless they want to put you on their payroll.

Wow! so then they may be serious after all... I hope so...

No, more than likely they were saying they would wave the vestment period for you to be able to join and own your 401k if you were to go to work for them. A 401k is a pre-tax deposit account, so you would have to have taxable income at the firm that your 401k is at.

ahhhhh!!! Thanks for the explanation... I thought so... I was wondering how on earth they'd ever have me join their 401K if I wasn't earning a paycheck there....