Traditional (defined benefit) pensions

One of the biggest flaws in most people’s retirement plan is something that previous generations rarely worried about: monthly income guaranteed for life. But the fix is in, and before long your 401(k) may look a lot more like your dad’s pension.

On Monday, in a new turn of events adding to the despair of Dewey & LeBoeuf employees, the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp has filed a lawsuit against the firm in a federal court in Manhattan. The federally-owned U.S. government corporation is seeking a decree to terminate a big number of Dewey retirement plans.

Like the proverbial elephant, the view of 401(k) plans depends on which part of the retirement beast you're looking at. Started 30 years ago as a largely self-directed investment companion to traditional pensions, 401(k)s have been forced to grow up and become the nation's primary private retirement-savings vehicle.

The state of retirement savings in America is in big trouble. According to Fidelity Investments, the average 401(k) balance among its 11.8 million accounts increased to $74,600 at the end of the first quarter 2012, a 62 percent increase since the end of the first quarter 2009. While it's good news that balances are up, the number of accounts is alarmingly low for such an industry giant.