Frontload IRA, then pay off loan or tackle both in parallel?

[sizzlinkola]

Currently maxing out my 401k through DCA, since front-loading it will lose my company match. They don't have a true-up.

I have enough take-home pay to max out my Roth IRA, which the balance is $14k right now. However, I have $17.5k in student loans @ 3.8%.

Should I front-load my Roth IRA, then start paying off my loan? Or DCA my IRA while paying off my loan?

I'm paid ahead in my loan, such that I don't have to make min payments until 2021.

 

[Sunset]

I would pay off the loan and contribute to 401K to get the match.

Thinking of it another way, is would you borrow money (not pay the loan) at 3.8% in order to contribute to the 401K ?

The only time I would suggest not paying the loan and only contribute heavily to the ROTH would be if the market tanks 40% , while it would be down, would be the ideal time to invest heavily.