Thank you for all your feedback. So in order to maximize tax sheltering, here is what I understand so far:
Max 401k
Max Roth IRA
The rest goes into index funds
When I want to retire, I rollover the 401k into a traditional IRA, and then convert that to the Roth IRA. I can then access the converted funds 5 year after they are converted.
Questions:
Should I start the Traditional IRA, since this is tax-sheltered as well?
With the IRA to Roth conversion ladder, am I only able to access the funds that I convert (5 years down the line of course), or can I access any funds in the Roth IRA (from what I have built up in there before)?