Pension News

A timely and provocative op-ed by BusinessWeek’s contributing economics editor Chris Farrell flatly states, “Keep Wall Street Out of the Retirement Business.”  Farrell goes on to ask:

Question is, in light of the current turmoil in the financial markets, should Wall Street manage any of our long-term retirement savings funds? Is the 401(k) plan, which has become the main retirement savings vehicle for the American worker over the past three decades, a mistake? The case for rethinking the 401(k) as a pillar of retirement savings is compelling. (more…)

Last week the federal minimum wage rose to $6.55 an hour, increasing the annual earnings for a full-time minimum wage worker to $13,624.  While it’s certainly the right move for Congress to raise the minimum wage for current workers, it raises an important question about retired workers.  Take a look at our statistics page and you’ll see why: The average retired worker’s Social Security check is now less than that of a minimum wage worker. (more…)