Retirement & Benefits

• Pension Plan Funding Declines in October

  November 5, 2012

  Aggregate deficit of S&P 1500 plans rises $26 bln, Mercer says.

• 30% of GM Retirees Take Lump Sum (Detroit Free Press)

  November 1, 2012

  Automaker offloads $29 bln of pension liabilities.

• Pay Peer Groups Questioned

  By Dave Lindorff  |  November 1, 2012

  Using peer groups of similar companies to determine executive compensation can lead to pay inflation, a study charges.

• U.S. High Court Allows 401(k) Fee Case to Proceed (Reuters)

  October 30, 2012

  Case accuses John Hancock of charging too much for 401(k) annuity products.

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  Will Employers Really Flock to PPACA Exchanges?

  By Allison Bell, LifeHealthPro  |  October 30, 2012

  Midwest Business Group on Health suggests employers might focus on shifting to HSA plans.

• Alaska Highest For Workers’ Comp Rates, Says Study

  By Chad Hemenway, PropertyCasualty360.com  |  October 26, 2012

  Alaska replaces Montana as state with most expensive workers compensation rates; Connecticut takes second place.

• Tide Turns in Outsourcing

  By John Helyar, Bloomberg  |  October 25, 2012

  Indian outsourcing firms open U.S. centers, hire U.S. staffers.

• Pension De-Risking is Double-Edged Sword for PBGC (Business Insurance)

  October 22, 2012

  As companies unload pension obligations, federal guarantor sees premium income cut along with risk exposure.

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  See-Through 401(k) Fees May Lead to Churn

  By Russ Banham  |  October 22, 2012

  Transparency on costs could lead to unbundling, provider switches.

• Pension Rights Center Questions Pension Buy-Outs

  October 19, 2012

  Congress should impose moratorium until policymakers consider risks to plan participants, center says.