On this day...

Chilean miners get lifetime pensions, but …

Type: Blog entry

A smile came to my face when I first saw the headline, Lifetime pensions awarded to 14 of the trapped Chilean miners. Of course the miners deserve pensions.

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A sobering thought on International Day of Older Persons

Type: Blog entry

October 1 is International Day of Older Persons, a day to raise awareness about issues affecting older people and to appreciate the contributions they make to society.

So it is fitting that today we look at how older Americans are faring in retirement. One way to measure the wellbeing of the elderly is to measure the degree to which they live in poverty. By measuring poverty, we are able to learn the extent to which a nation's retirement system provides adequate income. More...

Happy 75th, Social Security!

Type: Blog entry

Our birthday present to you is that we are going to stop policymakers from chopping you to pieces.

Social Security, you've been providing an economic lifeline that millions of Americans rely on. It's too bad that on your 75^th birthday, you're under siege like never before.

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On this day...

Type: Blog entry

On this day in 1981, the final regulations for 401(k) plans were issued. What better day than today to look back at what we've written on 401(k) plans? Here's our top 10 list: More...

Happy International Day of Older Persons!

Type: Blog entry

Did you know today is the International Day of Older Persons? We don't want today to go by without pointing out two shocking facts that were highlighted recently by the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) in Pensions at a Glance 2009: Retirement-Income Systems in OECD Countries. More...

As ERISA celebrates its 35th anniversary it is clear that there is still more to do

Type: Blog entry

Labor Day marks the 35th anniversary of a law hailed by its principal sponsor Senator Jacob Javits as "the greatest development in the life of the American worker since Social Security." Thanks to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, millions of retirees are receiving the secure lifetime pensions that are making it possible for them to live comfortably in retirement. More...

Older Americans Month

Type: Blog entry

Today, May 1, marks the start of Older Americans Month. What better a day to discuss the retirement security of older Americans? Not so long ago retirement security was thought of as a three-legged stool, consisting of employer-sponsored pensions, personal savings and Social Security. More...

Happy birthday, ERISA!

Type: Blog entry

Happy 34^th Birthday, ERISA!

Today marks the 34^th anniversary of the date that the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, known to those in the field of pensions as ERISA, was signed into law. In a tribute to the workers who would be helped by the new law, that day, September 2, 1974, fell on Labor Day.
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Spotlight

Wondering how much you can contribute to your retirement plan this year? Read our helpful fact sheet to find out. The fact sheet also includes contribution limits for previous years. Read the fact sheet.

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From Our Blog

Can we call it a comeback...for DB plans?

I hope so. According to a newly-released Towers Watson survey, it looks like defined benefit pension plans are making a comeback – especially among younger workers.
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In the News

Qualified Longevity Annuity Contract Rules Should Allow More Options, Commenters Say

A Treasury Department proposal to expand retirement income options is on the right track, but it requires some revisions to achieve the objectives
outlined in the proposed regulation (REG-115809-11), a variety of interest groups said in public comment letters posted May 4.
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Did You Know?

A joint-and-survivor annuity is an annuity that pays a monthly benefit over the lives of the participant and his or her surviving spouse. This is the default form of benefit for married participants in most defined benefit pension plans. Because it lasts for the life of both the worker and the spouse, a joint-and-survivor annuity typically results in a lower monthly benefit payment than a single-life annuity.