One benefit of a new 401k-type plan is that there is something there for the guy (or gal) who gets out before getting their 20. Under the current plan a military person who gets out at 16 or 18 years gets nothing, nada, zilch. With a 401k system they would receive everything they paid in plus the interest they earned.

Most who are in a pension plan defend them, and most who do not benefit from them but have to pay the taxes for them tend to resent that. My fire pension would give me 40% at 20 years service and I am grateful I have it to look forward to (I hope) but something has to be done. These plans are costing our kids' futures.

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Jon