In general terms and general times you are absolutely correct. 100% .
This was not general times though.
It is a true shame that 401ks do such a sub par job of educating their partipants. When people don't even know there's a fixed income fund to go into short term as safe haven they've done a great disservice. None of this stuff is rocket science. It is important that people talk openly about money the notion that only a select few "understand" markets is absurd. And damaged people's wealth trajectory.