SpaceX Is Heading for Your 401(k), Adding Potential Homeownership Power To Your Retirement Account, Say Experts

The future of your 401(k) may be in the hands of Elon Musk.

SpaceX went public on June 12, launching on the Nasdaq exchange under the ticker symbol SPCX, and millions of Americans may soon see the aerospace company founded by Musk among their retirement investments.

Firms such as Fidelity, BlackRock, Franklin Resources, and Neuberger Berman hold SpaceX across dozens of mutual funds and ETFs. And some funds—such as Baron Capital—are heavily exposed with SpaceX accounting for over 20% or more of their assets.

To find out if SpaceX is part of your portfolio now, log in to your 401(k) or brokerage account. Then, open the "positions" or "top holdings" list of each fund and search for "SpaceX" or "SPCX."

If SpaceX is there or will appear in the future, experts believe that the initial numbers could supercharge your retirement account and, in turn, help you meet your long-term homeownership goals.

“Gaining exposure to a generational, high-growth company like SpaceX is incredibly important, and I believe the potential long-term rewards clearly outweigh the risks, especially for current or future homeowners,” says Adam Bergman, a tax and ERISA attorney and founder of IRA Financial in Miami Beach, FL.

The potential role of SpaceX in homeownership

SpaceX's IPO price was a historic $135 on June 12—its first day of trading. Then, shares quickly surged to nearly $226 on June 16. On June 22, they dropped by about 4% to $148.16. As of June 23, SpaceX shares recovered a bit to around $160.75.

If you're a long-term saver, these figures are a big deal. However, don’t expect SpaceX stock to completely change your retirement and homeownership situation overnight.

Cody Schuiteboer, president and CEO of Best Interest Financial in West Bloomfield, MI, explains that when the gains continue to materialize over time, they could translate into a future down payment that saves you money in the background.

“On a $400,000 home, the difference between 10% and 20% down is $40,000 versus $80,000. That higher down payment eliminates the need for mortgage insurance and reduces the monthly mortgage payment, especially at today's rates of 6.47% on a 30-year fixed,” says Schuiteboer.

You can also use the growth later to pay down your mortgage faster, reducing interest costs and saving thousands on your loan in the long term. 

If your ultimate goal is to save for a down payment or pay down your mortgage, however, Schuiteboer warns against using a 401(k) withdrawal before age 59½ to get there. 

A pre-59½ withdrawal means a 10% penalty and ordinary income tax. That's one-third of the profit gone forever before you ever reach your goal.

“A much better way to tap into a retirement account before 59½ is a 401(k) loan, which lets you borrow up to $50,000 and pay back yourself,” Schuiteboer adds.

What to do if you have long-term property goals

If you have property goals in the future, be smart about how you think about and leverage SpaceX in your portfolio.

“Never buy a home or pay down a mortgage based on future stock gains. They can be unpredictable and give you an excellent boost or have a minimal positive impact on your down payment,” explains Schuiteboer.

Instead, qualify for a home based on your current income level and financial situation, and let the retirement profit give you flexibility and security over time.

When it comes to owning a property, the same principle works in reverse order. 

With a 6% mortgage interest rate or higher, every extra dollar you put toward your loan balance gives you a guaranteed return equal to that rate. 

Ideally, however, you'd keep the money in your 401(k) and use it to boost your retirement savings so that it's easier to continue living in your home once you officially leave the workforce.

Insurance, maintenance, and, of course, property taxes are all costs you'll need to budget for if you keep your home after retirement—and they are on the rise.

Nationwide, the effective tax rate for single-family homes in 2025 was 0.9%, up from 0.86% in 2024 and the highest since 2020, when the national effective tax rate was 1.1%, according to the latest property tax report from data analytics firm ATTOM.

So no matter if you're invested in SpaceX or not, the best advice is to keep your money parked in your account for as long as possible.

"A robust portfolio helps build wealth over time. If you let your SpaceX funds grow , they can ultimately improve your overall financial situation and make the cost of homeownership more affordable in the long run," explains Phillip Battin, president and CEO at Ambassador Wealth Management in Warrenville, IL.