Retirement Trends

Large institutional investors, including pension funds, have their sights for 2014 set on alternative investments, such as real estate and real assets, according to a survey by BlackRock.

ING and NBCUniversal team up to promote an initiative to encourage people to discuss their personal financial issues.

Traditionally, employees have signed up for their employers 401(k) retirement plan with a paper form or an extensive online process, but the new method allows individuals to sign up with a simple text message or through a mobile-friendly website.

Despite their confidence - the survey found that although investors traditionally invest more aggressively as their optimism increases - 49 percent are currently investing more conservatively than they did five years ago.

Leading the pack was Sullivan & Cromwell, a law firm based in New York. BrightScope noted the plan for its low fees, company generosity, participation rate and the size of participants account balances.

The reforms, which led to a strike this week and street protests outside the capitol, increased employee contributions to the retirement system to 10 percent of salary from 9 percent.