Originally Posted by TED74

My gut tells me that at least half of the pilots who opt out with the intention of getting better returns through their own investments instead let those funds dissolve into everyday life expenditures. Costco runs, boat gas money, kids college money, vacation, etc. There’s nothing inherently wrong with those investments in one’s current life vs future life, but since I’ve met a few humans I’m confident they won’t all follow through every year through retirement. And of those who do keep the money invested into retirement, some percentage will make choices that underperform the MBCBP (particularly having paid ALPA dues first).

If 25% was the number DALPA told us we needed to replace the “stolen pension”, rising only to 18% leaves a shortfall made worse for those who won’t commit the full 18% to actual retirement. Of course some will make 401k contributions and far exceed 25% even while opting out of MBCBP. Naturally it’s a free country and I wish newbies could also make their own decision, but there’s a certain population for whom the MBCBP will be a forced-saving vehicle they may ultimately not regret.