Of all generational cohorts, older millennials are most likely to generate enough income to retire comfortably, according to the latest Vanguard Retirement Readiness report.
Specifically, millennials aged 37-41 have the greatest chance of landing a comfortable retirement.
Yeah. There is always the issue of people not being able to understand that others have different life experiences than them. But, because anyone whoi expects to live past 60 have started to think about retirement, we also get the dunning kruger effect.
Similarly, I am not aware of any service industry jobs that really prioritize 401ks. And it seems like a crapshoot for teachers and education adjacent jobs whether they get pushed for a 401k or a pension fund that will likely get blown on hookers and blow long before they reach retirement age.
I do think that, in general, people need to educate themselves and at least have an IRA they put money into around tax season every year. But I get that even being able to do that is already incredibly privileged.
IRS defines 403B plans, which are similar to 401k, but specific to teaching. Also public school teachers have retirement plans through unions (at least in NY, MA, CA)
You can’t trust pensions. Goldman Sachs will just dump it all in mortgage backed securities
This is one way 401k and similar plans are better than pensions: you own the money, immediately
While pensions were historically a lot higher value, there have been too many ways to lose it. Not spend ten years at the company? Gone. Company goes bankrupt? Gone. Company not funding their commitment? Gone.
With a 401k, I own the money immediately, can take it with me no matter how short term an employee I am, keep it even if the company is bankrupt, and most importantly, I decide how to invest it (that could be bad but it’s still my choice)