Even if New Year's passed with no deal, few businesses or consumers would likely panic as long as an agreement seemed likely soon. The tax increases and spending cuts could be retroactively repealed after Jan. 1. And the impact of the tax increases would be felt only gradually. Most people...

As pension plans gradually dwindle, the American Benefits Council says simpler relations with the PBGC, the IRS and the DOL will be necessary to keep the last ones alive.

I know Im struggling with thankfulness myself this year. Im determined to rise above it, though, because at the end of the day, Im pretty lucky. So its in that spirit that Id like to offer up a few of my own thoughts of gratitudeboth personal and professional.