Bees absolutely collect pollen, they even have special pollen ball holding cups on their legs. They also collect nectar, in their stomach.

They distribute pollen to pay for the honey. The better they do it, the more flowers, the more honey. But in the end they are not going to complain individually if there is no pollen. They will of there is no honey.

> But in the end they are not going to complain individually if there is no pollen.

I keep bees and they absolutely do store pollen in the hive to use as food (as well as nectar to turn into honey).

It's more like the bees are farmers tending their sustenance crop.