"Nor do I agree with the notion of folks calling that savings, or being encouraged to do so."
I guess I had no savings in my 401ks or IRAs but somehow made it into retirement without any savings. My bank account seldom had any cash in it and I often ran a credit card balance but my non-savings 401ks and IRAs somehow added up to no debts and decent income.
You seem very bad at math 1 does not equal infinity.
There are plenty of folks who've lost everything in their 401k and been left peniless.