5 ways to make 401(k) plans more like pensions
It may feel as though 401(k)s have been around forever, but they’ve only been with us since the 1980s (okay, maybe that is forever). Until the 401(k) came along, if you had a workplace retirement plan it came in the form of a traditional defined benefit pension.
Groups Urge Legislators not to Disrupt Public Pension Oversight
Organizations testifying before a U.S. House panel contended that public pensions are faring better than recent reports say, and that current transparency measures are working effectively.
Tour golfers worry little about retirement, thanks to the best pension plan in sports
Since turning professional in 1996, Joe Ogilvie has won exactly one PGA Tour event, the 2007 U.S. Bank Championship in Milwaukee. He has finished second three times, been third twice and out of the top 10 in 313 of the 338 events he has started.
Pension plans’ funding ratios keep rising, reports say
The funding ratio of corporate U.S. defined benefit pension plans improved for the eighth consecutive month in April, according to two reports released Thursday.
401(k)s Primarily Benefit the Wealthy
High income employees receive the majority of the tax benefits of 401(k)s, according to a new Government Accountability Office report. The analysis found that 401(k) tax benefits accrue primarily to highly paid employees and do relatively little to help lower income workers save for retirement.
Man charged nearly $200,000 for pension overpayment
A pension problem for a long-time retiree nearly wiped him out.
I can’t believe I am writing a column about Social Security
Although I became eligible to join the American Association of Retired Persons way back in 2005, I ignored their advances until I realized membership could save money on a car rental. So I enrolled.
401(k) fees a mystery for most participants, AARP finds
Participants in 401(k) plans are “largely unaware” of fees that they pay, according to an AARP report based on a survey conducted by the organization.
Why Young Workers Want a Good Old-Fashioned Pension
The conventional wisdom is that young people today are inured to the idea that they will change jobs repeatedly over their careers, and that because of that, they don’t really think much about pensions. But it turns out that the conventional wisdom is wrong.
Speech by Karen Friedman to the American Council on Consumer Interests (April 15, 2011)
Hello, I’m Karen Friedman, the Executive Vice President and Policy Director of the Pension Rights Center. It’s fabulous to be speaking to the American Council of Consumer Interests, because we are fellow travelers on the road to making this country safer and better for consumers. The Pension Rights Center is the only consumer rights group […]
Can I Take Money Out Of My 401K During My Divorce?
As a Divorce Financial Strategist™ I am frequently asked, “Can I take money out of my 401K before/during my divorce?”
Pensions May Now Struggle With Lump-Sum Payments
With the stock market up, many beleaguered corporate pension plans are healing. But because of regulatory quirks and recent tinkering by Congress, fewer plans could meet minimum requirements to allow investors to take lump-sum distributions rather than less popular annuity-style payments this year.
