Ret plans - info for employees (BenefitsLink.com)Headlines re Ret plans - info for employees, gathered by BenefitsLink.com'We've Been Wrongly Taught That Our Property Can Be Our Pension'- (Found June 24, 2008 ) Excerpt: "There could be bad news not only for people looking to sell up but also for those who have been relying on the rising value of their home to provide a nest egg in retirement through the use of equity release. These schemes allow homeowners to draw down between 20 and 50 per cent of the value of their property as a lump sum or monthly income. In essence, they are lent this sum of money until they either die or go into sheltered accommodation. At that stage the house is sold and...http://www.blackenterprise.com/yb/ybopen.asp?section=ybaa&story_id=118258054&ID=bl... Affluent Boomers Express Top Retirement Concerns in Study- (Found June 24, 2008 ) Excerpt: "Maintaining a current standard of living is the top concern among affluent investors age 45 to 65, according to recent Cogent Research. The study, The Retirement Income Dilemma, examines the behaviors and attitudes of pre-retirees." (planadvisor.com)http://www.planadviser.com/research/article.php/2394 Employers Are Changing Their Benefit Offerings, According to Survey- (Found June 24, 2008 ) Excerpt: "SHRM's annual benefits survey shows continuing erosion of defined-benefit pension plans and traditional indemnity health care coverage." (Workforce Management; free registration required)http://www.workforce.com/section/00/article/25/61/43.php How Well Are We Handling Our 401(k)s- (Found June 24, 2008 ) Excerpt: "A new study shows that of some one million 401(k) portfolios, some 69 percent of participants have portfolios with inappropriate risk or diversification, 36 percent hold high concentrations of company stock, and 33 percent fail to contribute enough to receive the full company match. While groups of participants are taking full advantage of their 401(k) plans, participants with lower salaries, lower plan balances, and those closer to retirement tend to make the most costly...http://www.webcpa.com/article.cfm?articleid=27759 401(k) Contributions Drop in Troubled Economy- (Found June 24, 2008 ) Excerpt: "While workers continue to put money into their 401(k) plans during the current downturn in the economy, they are investing at a lower rate, according to a survey released Thursday, June 19, by Putnam Investments." (Workforce Management; free registration required)http://www.workforce.com/section/00/article/25/60/77.html Employers, Employees Split on Benefit Program Perceptions- (Found June 24, 2008 ) Excerpt: "A new MetLife survey shows a significant disconnect between employers' views about their workplace benefit program and the perceptions of employees.' (PLANSPONSOR.com; free registration required)http://www.plansponsor.com/pi_type11/?RECORD_ID=41922 |