[usrbinbash]

The difference: It's not up to the companies in most of western Europe. These services are guaranteed by law, and provided by the state.

>but increased savings from increased salary can make up for that (not to mention 401k).

And huge medical bills can quickly eat up even substantial savings...that doesn't happen as easily when medical services are provided by universal coverage.

Also, state guaranteed pensions aren't lost if some company in a portfolio crashes.