Why a 401(k) Will Yield You More Money Than a Pension

ThePackageDeli

Well-Known Member
Your example and theory is highly flawed. If you want to compare the pension vs a 401k match, then leave your contributions to a 401K out of the equation. If John's company matches at 5% or $5000 per year, use that amount against the value of a pension because that's what the company is contributing. So, 5K per year for 35 years at 5% return nets you around 500K. Drawing from that amount at the rate of 70K per year (your pension value) nets you 7 years of returns. That's 13 years short of the pension draws in your example. Thank goodness we have both.
The real comparison I'm making in this example, and this is the difference between the way you and me are looking at it, is the comparison between taking an active role in your financial future vs. having a passive role in your financial future. I'm less interested in the amount of free money I receive from the company, and more concerned with what my actual financial numbers will be at retirement.
If a 401(k) match means less free-money received from UPS, so be it. I'm okay with that as long as ultimately I have more $$ at retirement.
 

MORS HOSTIBUS

Well-Known Member
The real comparison I'm making in this example, and this is the difference between the way you and me are looking at it, is the comparison between taking an active role in your financial future vs. having a passive role in your financial future. I'm less interested in the amount of free money I receive from the company, and more concerned with what my actual financial numbers will be at retirement.
If a 401(k) match means less free-money received from UPS, so be it. I'm okay with that as long as ultimately I have more $$ at retirement.
Read, sucker born everyday. Ever play street chess? Most people are not equipped to spend the other half of their life becoming a financial wiz kid.
 

Up In Smoke

Well-Known Member
The real comparison I'm making in this example, and this is the difference between the way you and me are looking at it, is the comparison between taking an active role in your financial future vs. having a passive role in your financial future. I'm less interested in the amount of free money I receive from the company, and more concerned with what my actual financial numbers will be at retirement.
If a 401(k) match means less free-money received from UPS, so be it. I'm okay with that as long as ultimately I have more $$ at retirement.
Do you self manage your retirement? Are you actively buying, selling and hedging your portfolio on a weekly and quarterly basis? Are you diversified across all 11 sectors of the market or do you just buy mutual funds and hope the fund prospectus will protect your returns? The premise that a company match 401K is better for your economic well being is false unless you die before the 7 years of pension withdrawals.
 
The real comparison I'm making in this example, and this is the difference between the way you and me are looking at it, is the comparison between taking an active role in your financial future vs. having a passive role in your financial future. I'm less interested in the amount of free money I receive from the company, and more concerned with what my actual financial numbers will be at retirement.
If a 401(k) match means less free-money received from UPS, so be it. I'm okay with that as long as ultimately I have more $$ at retirement.
So you want year-round PVDs and you want the company to get rid if pensions...look out Carol, this guy's coming for your job.
 

I GOT ONE MORE

Well-Known Member
That’s because those people are stupid as smile* and rely on auto fill and calculators. Open a beer and forget one was already opened.
There’s nothing wrong with paying attention in school instead of cutting classes.
What’s the last book you read, not counting the tv dinner instructions?
 

Over70irregs

Well-Known Member
Hypothetical example:

John begins UPS on Jan 1, 2020 and retires on Jan 1, 2055, at age 65.

Under the current pension plan, John's 35 years of service entitle him to roughly $70,000/yr (- taxes) beginning at age 65.

If John lives to be 85, he will have earned roughly $1.4 million(- taxes) in pension income during his lifetime.

-vs.-

If John fully invests his 401(k) from 2020 to 2055, he will have contributed roughly $787,500.
If John's investment grows at 5% for 35 years, his 401(k) account value at age 65 will be roughly $2,130,000 (that's nearly $1.4 million in earnings)

The real question you want to ask yourself is this:

Would I rather earn $1.4 million in taxable income by age 85, or would I rather have $1.4 million of taxable income in my account by age 65?

This is why I would rather have a 401(k) match over a pension.

These numbers get even sweeter when you factor in a company match for 35 years, holy :censored2:.

The pension is a freaking scam you guys. It's corporate welfare for dummies with no financial discipline.than one in eight of today’s 20-year-olds will die before reaching age 67.”
Hypothetical example:

John begins UPS on Jan 1, 2020 and retires on Jan 1, 2055, at age 65.

Under the current pension plan, John's 35 years of service entitle him to roughly $70,000/yr (- taxes) beginning at age 65.

If John lives to be 85, he will have earned roughly $1.4 million(- taxes) in pension income during his lifetime.

-vs.-

If John fully invests his 401(k) from 2020 to 2055, he will have contributed roughly $787,500.
If John's investment grows at 5% for 35 years, his 401(k) account value at age 65 will be roughly $2,130,000 (that's nearly $1.4 million in earnings)

The real question you want to ask yourself is this:

Would I rather earn $1.4 million in taxable income by age 85, or would I rather have $1.4 million of taxable income in my account by age 65?

This is why I would rather have a 401(k) match over a pension.

These numbers get even sweeter when you factor in a company match for 35 years, holy :censored2:.

The pension is a freaking scam you guys. It's corporate welfare for dummies with no financial discipline.
More than one in eight of today’s 20-year-olds will die before reaching age 67. Company match benefits change over time. Brown is full of jealous management dogs who would salivate to eliminate our unicorn pension. Especially since their Thrift Plan got ripped years back. Pension PLUS 401k match is the direction we are pushing.
 
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Thebrownblob

Well-Known Member
The real comparison I'm making in this example, and this is the difference between the way you and me are looking at it, is the comparison between taking an active role in your financial future vs. having a passive role in your financial future. I'm less interested in the amount of free money I receive from the company, and more concerned with what my actual financial numbers will be at retirement.
If a 401(k) match means less free-money received from UPS, so be it. I'm okay with that as long as ultimately I have more $$ at retirement.
Everything you said is theory, the 401(k) is not guaranteed money. Every investment strategy should have a balance.

My pension is guaranteed money as long as I meet certain requirements, that is the foundation of my retirement, everything else I’m doing is built on top of it most people do not have a very good foundation and they’re just hoping the market remains stable because everything in your 401(k) is just pretend money until you get close to retirement. In theory my 401(k) will pay me more than my pension if the current trajectory continues and that’s great but I don’t have any guarantees at all, my pension is guaranteed. Union contracts have always been based on guarantees if you don’t like that you don’t have to work here. Plenty of places you can work and take your chances.
 
Everything you said is theory, the 401(k) is not guaranteed money. Every investment strategy should have a balance.

My pension is guaranteed money as long as I meet certain requirements, that is the foundation of my retirement, everything else I’m doing is built on top of it most people do not have a very good foundation and they’re just hoping the market remains stable because everything in your 401(k) is just pretend money until you get close to retirement. In theory my 401(k) will pay me more than my pension if the current trajectory continues and that’s great but I don’t have any guarantees at all, my pension is guaranteed. Union contracts have always been based on guarantees if you don’t like that you don’t have to work here. Plenty of places you can work and take your chances.
He wants full-time PVDs.
 

DriveInDriveOut

Inordinately Right
The premise that a company match 401K is better for your economic well being is false unless you die before the 7 years of pension withdrawals.
If the amount going into the pension on my behalf were going into my 401k instead, I would be much better off.

It's never going to happen though so the entire conversation is pointless.
 

Babagounj

Strength through joy
Pension { which has already paid out close to $500K ) + 401K ( $30,000/ yr )+ Social Security @ age 70 = one very happy retiree.

The max I put into the 401K was 17%, with no company matches.

Time is your best friend when investing.
 

Over70irregs

Well-Known Member
If the amount going into the pension on my behalf were going into my 401k instead, I would be much better off.

It's never going to happen though so the entire conversation is pointless.
It’s good conversation. Makes guys think. We spend so much time working it’s easy to let years fly by.
 

textat3

Well-Known Member
Hypothetical example:

John begins UPS on Jan 1, 2020 and retires on Jan 1, 2055, at age 65.

Under the current pension plan, John's 35 years of service entitle him to roughly $70,000/yr (- taxes) beginning at age 65.

If John lives to be 85, he will have earned roughly $1.4 million(- taxes) in pension income during his lifetime.

-vs.-

If John fully invests his 401(k) from 2020 to 2055, he will have contributed roughly $787,500.
If John's investment grows at 5% for 35 years, his 401(k) account value at age 65 will be roughly $2,130,000 (that's nearly $1.4 million in earnings)

The real question you want to ask yourself is this:

Would I rather earn $1.4 million in taxable income by age 85, or would I rather have $1.4 million of taxable income in my account by age 65?

This is why I would rather have a 401(k) match over a pension.

These numbers get even sweeter when you factor in a company match for 35 years, holy :censored2:.

The pension is a freaking scam you guys. It's corporate welfare for dummies with no financial discipline.
I’ll take a pension any day of the week…local 639 drivers retire after 30 years get about 10g a month….401k nice….but I want that fat check….I
 

Jkloc420

Do you need an air compressor or tire gauge
Hypothetical example:

John begins UPS on Jan 1, 2020 and retires on Jan 1, 2055, at age 65.

Under the current pension plan, John's 35 years of service entitle him to roughly $70,000/yr (- taxes) beginning at age 65.

If John lives to be 85, he will have earned roughly $1.4 million(- taxes) in pension income during his lifetime.

-vs.-

If John fully invests his 401(k) from 2020 to 2055, he will have contributed roughly $787,500.
If John's investment grows at 5% for 35 years, his 401(k) account value at age 65 will be roughly $2,130,000 (that's nearly $1.4 million in earnings)

The real question you want to ask yourself is this:

Would I rather earn $1.4 million in taxable income by age 85, or would I rather have $1.4 million of taxable income in my account by age 65?

This is why I would rather have a 401(k) match over a pension.

These numbers get even sweeter when you factor in a company match for 35 years, holy :censored2:.

The pension is a freaking scam you guys. It's corporate welfare for dummies with no financial discipline.
Fake name, are you @IVE GOTTA PACKAGE 4U
 
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