Decisions about benefit plan design, like so many other decisions, should be made with an eye toward the realization that, for every action there can be an equal, opposite, and sometimes greater, reaction.

At a time when the nations legislative wheels seem mired in partisanship, the last week of January turned out to be a busy one for retirement plan proposals.

Ultimately, more were affected by the weather forecast than the weather itself. Dire predictions are also common about the retirement prospects for Americans.

Fully 46 percent of worker respondents to the Workplace Benefits Survey indicate they are extremely or very confident about their ability to get the treatments they need today.

The benefits package that an employer offers prospective employees is an important factor in their decision to accept or reject a job. In fact, a full third of employees say the benefits package is extremely important.

Its not the design thats at fault - its how its used, both by those who sponsor these programs, as well as those who are covered by them.

If employers made it easier for departing workers to roll over their retirement distributions, maybe less would end up taking a cash distribution.

Why are U.S. workers still so reluctant to turn to annuities as a distribution option?