Defined Benefits

In fall 2013, 86 percent of households disagreed that the government should take away the tax advantages associated with 401(k) plans and 83 percent were against reducing the amount individuals can contribute to these retirement vehicles.

A hidden value of defined contribution retirement plans might be that they get participants thinking about their long-term finances.

The accounts, which Obama announced in his State of the Union Address, will be available to workers who dont have access to a 401(k) plan,

President Barack Obama unwrapped a retirement option for workers whose companies dont have a 401(k) plan during his State of the Union Address.

The unions, which include the biggest organizations representing state workers, called legislation signed into law last month by Democratic Governor Pat Quinn to reduce the shortfall theft, according to a statement.

A rising discount rate, which reduces the current value of a future obligation, and the companys $5 billion contribution to its funded plans last year reduced its pension shortfall by more than half from $18.7 billion at the end of 2012.