Can somebody help me understand 401k & retirement checks?

I wanna know which one will last LONGER (way after I've ped away) so I won't have to work (another 25/30 year job) again unless it's temporary. I think a retirement check since it’s the government deciding & putting the money in (& my mom’s one is still going on), but then they could be cheap. A 401k, I’m kinda scared I'll put too little inside & it all added up to chump change.