Retirement Trends

The House approved a bill Thursday requiring federal employees to contribute 5 percent more of their salaries over five years toward retirement, as part of a wider deal hoping to avoid the fiscal cliff.

From California to New York, teacher and public-worker retirement funds are reconsidering their investments in gun makers.

While the bulk of participants' 401(k) investments still sit in the stock market, more and more investors are diversifying with TDF holdings.

It's likely to be part of any budget deal to reduce the overhang of federal debt, raising $20 billion or more over 10 years. It could come as a shock to many seniors who will have to pay the higher premiums.

Public employees cranked up pressure on lawmakers Wednesday to address Illinois' worst-in-the-nation pension problem, saying they'd be willing to contribute more money toward their retirements and plan to host a pension summit after the new Legislature is sworn in next month.

The 15-member Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans provides advice on policies and regulations affecting employee benefit plans governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.