<prompt> Human: New employee at a University of California hospital here. During our benefits orientation we were offered the choice of either a pension 5 year vesting vs a savings choice plan that closely resembles a 401k, in which I contribute 7 and my employer contributes 8 1 year vesting period. I elected to go with the savings choice plan as it offers the most flexibility, however their website does not allow me to make this choice. When I called their office, the person I spoke to said that due to the union that represents my department, I have no choice but to take the pension. She also kept telling me how great the pension is for UC employees. I did not join any union, and this feels a little fishy as Ive never heard of being forced to pay into a pension before. I also spoke to a Fidelity agent that represents UC and he was also flabbergasted that I should be forced to take the pension.Does anyone have any experienceinsightadvice they could give?  <response>: FYI If you chose not to join the union, you are stuck with whatever the union negotiates on your behalf and you get no say. They are required to represent everyone in the bargaining unit equally under the law, so you get all the negotiated benefits for free. However, only members get a say on what to change in the contract and a vote on those changes. Thats one of the benefits of joining.If you dont vest in the pension, youll get whatever money you put in back with interest. If you do, youll get a defined benefit regardless of how the stock market behaves when you retire unless the pension fund goes belly up. It protects you from the scenario of the stock market taking a nosedive when youre 58 and then your retirement money is in shambles. Retirement accounts put the liability on you. Pensions put the liability on the employer and often a union trustee.Source: am union rep. 