Apparently companies in the US are all moving away from fixed pension schemes and lot of them are using 401K plans, which it is more up to employee to do the contributing and then the employer will then can match the contribution. The big talk in the industry, is that the UK should do this as it makes it more flexible for companies who are struggling with their huge pension costs. That is one of the solutions they are looking at over here in the US at the moment.

Very interesting. I'd say it makes sense to encourage individuals to save towards their retirement on their own, and for companies to agree to match their contributions sounds like a good system of incentives.

Perhaps this could be one of the silver linings of this recession: during this period of mass cost-cutting, companies have an opportunity to alter their pension plans as you describe, moving towards a solution to this macroeconomic threat. As they say, "don't waste a good recession".

In the UK, Aon already led the way in this regard, back in April. I am no specialist but this sounds like your description of a 401k plan to me:

"The company employs 5,000 staff in the UK, most of whom will receive only a 6% standard employer contribution to their money purchase pension scheme. However, Aon will match extra contributions made by the staff." - BBC

Who knows... Maybe this was a catalyst for change in UK pension schemes! I couldn't speak for the USA.