Would you rather have a high paying job and no pension?

Seeing as how I have a moderate paying job with no pension, either would be an improvement.

If the salary was high enough then I’d set up and manage my own retirement pension. I like being in control of my money and not let others do it for me.

I was fortunate to have a high paying job with health care and a pension so I capitalize on IRA’s, 403b and other stock market investments. Of course nothing is certain with any investment but I’ve been very lucky.

I’m with @gondwanalon. Even moderate paying jobs, we get matches decreased or halted by the company, and that’s our only pension.
Most poor people will have to cash out early at some point for medical bills or funerals so it doesn’t generally make it to retirement.

I think what’s considered “high paying” or “moderate paying” is all relative.

I’ve had people argue (on here) that teachers make low salaries. I know in some states they do. In my state and County (NY), they make really good salaries. My daughter’s kindergarten teacher, public school, made about 120k a year. It’s all public information, so not a secret.

Cops can retire after 20 years. It kind of makes sense, because when a cop gets into his 50’s and 60’s, he’s maybe not going to be as quick, running and apprehending, as a guy in his 20’s and 30’s. Same as Corrections Officers. Yes, some might be in great shape and quick, but many will not.

What’s considered a high salary? My salary would have been considered high by some, and is considered low by others. My salary was in the high 70s. Some people would be thrilled to make that. Some would consider that small change and wouldn’t leave their house for it.

With my job (local government), I received a pension. What I like about that idea is that it gives some flexibility as far as when you retire. I have people in my family who work on Wall Street. They make a ton of money but I’m not sure if they have a pension offered to them, and if so, when they can start getting it. My friend’s husband works for an electrical supply company, and makes about what I made, and his company offers the pension for 10 years and then you’re on your own.

Traditional pensions (defined benefit plans) are nearly nonexistent within the private sector. Government employees are covered, as are union workers under collective-bargaining agreements. Private employers, however, seldom sponsor such arrangements anymore.

It’s more accurate to ask whether someone prefers a high-paying job or a modest-paying job. Again, unless the position is with some level of government or a union shop, it won’t come with a pension.

I have a specialized, professional credential in benefit and retirement plan law and administration. Many times, I’ve been hired to dismantle employer pension plans that had existed for years.

Only government employees get pensions any more. Boeing discontinued pensions in the 80s.

I should have put salary ranges.

At times people have proposed giving teachers an option of making a higher salary, but giving up the pension. An example might be a teacher who makes $70k being able to earn $120k instead. Not drastically different, but not minuscule either.

As @Dutchess_III pointed out, pretty much only government jobs offer pensions now in the US. On another Q jellies talked about retiring and mostly it’s having enough money and healthcare. Almost everyone I know who makes $120k with no pension and no promise of subsidized health insurance either partial or total, isn’t going to retire at 55 or even 60, but I know plenty of people who retire in their 50’s if they have a great pension and healthcare. Some of them work doing something else after and some don’t. In that way the lower salary and pension gives more freedom and autonomy in later years, unless the person really planned well to retire before 65.