Eh, technically I suppose.

When people refer to a "pension", they're usually talking about a defined benefit plan that requires little or no funding from the employee's paycheck. The amount of money you get at retirement is determined upfront, and based on things like years of service and average wages over some prescribed time period.

401ks don't have vesting though. At worst the match might be in December so people who are laid off mid-year lose half a year of matching.

I had employer match with a 3 year vesting period at one place. I've never had anyone else do more than 12 months, and not everyone did that. The matching is for the paycheck you just paid me for work I already did. Why is it tied to the end of the year? As an employee retention hook it's a lousy idea. It's too small, and lacks all of the dopamine of watching a stock price seesaw up and down, wondering what it'll be worth when you can finally spend it.

Some do (employer contributions).

https://www.google.com/search?q=401k+vesting

> 401k, which is a type of pension.

I was going to fight you on that, but you're right. TIL.