401k plans are a scam not because of what they are, but what they replaced.
Companies used to offer pensions. These were retirement benefits that were handled by the company, and the company bore the risk of underperforming markets.
For a number of reasons, pensions were much better for workers. Now, only some unionized workers get them.
There's so much inflation these days that pensions are impossible unless the pension money is invested to keep up with inflation. So it's the same thing at best out a worse option.
So it's the same thing at best out a worse option.
It's not though. With a pension someone work that knowledge manages that investment. With a 401k, the employee is. Except most employees don't have that kind of time or expertise. So, it's "our fault" that we end up with a poorly managed retirement when... we could just do pensions.
In my country, 401(k) is rare. My wife's company is one of the few that offers it, and it's way better than the government pension my dad is getting as a retiree, which is like less than $200 a month.