My company went from a 'traditional' defined benefit retirement plan to a defined contribution plan shortly before my retirement. I wish the change had been made before I began working for them as the defined benefit plan is just a shackle.
My husband has worked up the ladder, ten years after leaving the Navy. He has worked for four different employers. With each job move, he found a better position in which to use his skills and better benefits. He works for himself, in a sense. He keeps his eye on the prize and makes it to that goal by action... not sitting still in one place. It just isn’t in his nature to wait for a raise that won’t be there. In ten years he has increased his pay by about $30,000. He is pleased with his progress.