Most companies in US don't offer pensions anymore. They will match about 50% up to about 3% to your 401k which is a a tax deferred retirement account. I would say dump as much as you can into 401k especially up to the match. I wouldn't risk more than 10-20% total on anything speculative(Single stocks, real estate, businesses) And most of the time you will wish you just left it in your 401k.
