zlacker

You can’t come anywhere near maxing tax-exempt contributions to a 401k without substantial employer contributions, though, because of how they’re structured. The employer’s separate cap is higher than the employees. No matter how dedicated to saving a person is, they can’t even hit 50% of the max without the employer separately contributing.

>>vunder+(OP)
Most pensions involve a substantial employer contribution too.

I'm just saying, if they're contributing, great, I'd rather it go into a 401k where it's in a specific account for me and I can easily track it and complain timely if it's missing and I can fully separate from the employer when I leave versus going into a pension trust which I have much less visibility and a much longer connection with the company.

Of the four companies I've had 401ks with, one is totally dead, I think. Another is merged into Verizon and may as well be dead. The fourth bought the third and might last until I'd get a pension.

I'm quite happy I have no further financial connection to these companies, and don't have to pay attention to their solvency anymore.