My 401k is up 12% this year so far, but since I'm young enough I have it moderately aggressive so it can lose just as fast. I am going to do some serious thinking about the ROTH path as it is more stable and much safer. But then there are not going to be any employer contributions, and I gotta pay the taxes on the 401K money soon as it is swapped.

It is probably smarter to drop the percentage paid into the 401k to the amount matched by employer and pass the remaining few percent or more into a ROTH as a second retirement fund... best of both worlds! The employer matched money is already a 100% gain plus whatever % gain it ends up being minus taxes (when I'm in a higher tax bracket nonetheless) while the ROTH money will be taxed now while in the lower tax bracket and could be enjoyed fully at any time I deem necessary! (it could be the "early" retirement to hold me over a few years till 401K time :D)