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There is another important distinction which is often overlooked. A DB plan requires that the retiree annuitize. You only get monthly benefits. There is NO lump sum available to be left to you kids or other heirs. There are survivor benefit options, but they come at a reduced pay out.

Take for example..and I'm using round numbers here to make my point....a 55 y.o. male teacher who retires today after 30 years of service. He has a vested pension of $5,000/month. The commuted value of his pension..IOW, the lump sum amount it represents..is about $1 million. Say he's single....gets one check, retires...gets hit by a bus...there's nothing left. Say he's married, has a 50 y.o. wife..wants to give her some security..instead of getting $5K/month, he settles for $4k...if he dies, his wife gets $2K/month as long as she lives..then nothing for the kids...whereas, had the teacher had a DC plan from day one...and invested in a diversifed fund..he'd likely have far more than $1 million..and gets to keep it all..enjoy a BIGGER retirement, and leave it to the kids and grandkids...

Workers in the private sector end up rich with the 401K. Government employees get 2,000 a month while the civilian workers have a million to work with. Much better for civilians.