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.
In Australia, pensions are government issued, but relatively low paying. Superannuation (similar to a 401k) is paid by your employer as a percentage of your pay each year, but generally managed by a dedicated superannuation company. Those companies can and have gone bust, taking their payees funds with them