It seems to me that the employer will fund it either way. Maybe I’m misremembering stories of pensions being mismanaged and lost. I think the most important thing is that the employer actually does something to fund a retirement, in my way of thinking the 401k approach puts me in control of the money so I don’t rely on someone else to not fail.
Whether it’s promised bonuses, stocks, or retirement funds, my motto is always “show me the money”, and I’ll believe it when it’s in my hands.
I’m personally with you. I prefer to manage my own money rather than hope my employer is solvent 40 years from now to pay a pension.
Some people don’t want to to think about investing in their own retirement, and they see the pension as a more stable and safe solution.