Australian Experience Shows Pitfalls of Ending Traditional Pensions
PensionDialog welcomes the following post from the Alliance for Retirement Income Adequacy, a network of Canadian organizations which are promoting an informed discussion about the importance of income adequacy in retirement.
These days, in Canada and around the world, headlines talk about switching public sector pension plans from traditional “defined benefit” plans to newer “defined contribution” models—such as 401(k)-type plans that are in the U.S.
Those who favour the DC plans argue that they cost less – typically the contributions made by plan members and employers are lower – and that the employer (or the taxpayer) does not have to worry about shortfalls when the plan is underfunded.
The private sector seems to have embraced DC, or so the argument goes, so why not the public sector? Read more 
Characteristics of a Healthy Retirement Plan
The principles of retirement security using the acronym SECURE, as created by The Segal Company,* succinctly highlight the characteristics of a healthy retirement system. Using this a jumping-off point, following is a brief consideration of each element – its importance as well as some current related issues. Read more
How Older Americans Are Faring
The economic downturn has caused many Americans age 65 and older to experience higher expenses, lower incomes and depleted savings.
The result, according to AARP Public Policy Institute’s recently published review, How Many Older Americans Live: Ten Facts to Consider, is grim. Read more
Public Pension Plans: Laboratories of Democracy
The Tenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution protects states’ prerogative to design and implement public policies that address each state’s unique demographics, political culture, and fiscal constructs.
In the area of retirement benefits for employees of state and local government, the Tenth Amendment also applies to state governments seeking to meet the unique needs and objectives of their stakeholders–the governmental bodies and the public employees within that state. Read more