Retirement Fallout - Breaking the Bank, Piggybank That Is
According to financial reporter Jennifer Levitz, a dismal trifecta accounts for recent retirement withdrawals. Rising unemployment, stricter credit conditions and a sagging equity market make defined contribution piggybanks a tempting target. Despite a 10 percent penalty for early withdrawals, participants are tapping into their post-employment savings to make ends meet. In addition, and not surprisingly, some employees are reallocating away from equities into money market funds.
Overall, "Investors Pull Money Out of Their 401(k)s" (Wall Street Journal, September 23, 2008) paints a gloomy picture of the retirement landscape. Keep in mind that traditional defined benefit plans are no longer a reality for countless individuals. A dwindling 401(k) plan balance spells real hardship since many participants will be unable to "make up" any monies taken out before they exit the workforce.
On the topic of 401(k) plans, ERISA attorney Stephen Rosenberg vents about poor plan governance as described in Fixing thte 401(k) by Joshua Itzoe (earlier reviewed by this blogger). Alleged excessive fees, poor investment choice selection and not controlling plan costs are a few of the ills he deems important yet beyond the reach of plan participants who "have neither the power, responsibility nor authority" to address fiduciary problems by themselves. Click to read the Boston ERISA & Insurance Litigation Blog.
http://www.baltimoreexaminer.com/opinion/Public_pension_panic.html
Public pension panic
By The Baltimore Examiner Newspaper
It’s pension panic time. Panic early. Panic often. Demand reform. Public employees must take control of their financial destinies.
Politicians have made promises they never can keep. They and the union bosses who fleece workers don’t have to worry about it because they figured by the time the inexorable mill of reality turns up their deceit, it all will be somebody else’s problem.
They counted on being long gone with millions – maybe billions. Well, the day of reckoning arrived a little earlier than they anticipated. ...
Click for the whole editorial and links to resources