Despite that black cloud looming in the background like some kind of catastrophic debt ceiling, the mood here at the BenefitsConnect Summit is decidedly upbeat. Hell, it's downright bullish — among brokers and carriers alike.

A state commission voted Thursday to seek an attorney general's opinion on whether Maryland law would allow the state to reduce cost-of-living adjustments for retirees.

The National Institute on Retirement Security released a study last week that analyzed six state pension plans that remained well-funded through the recession. The purpose of the study was to learn what best practices exist to keep plans financially strong.