Feeling a little concerned that the average American – folks who probably aren't your clients - has, on average, less than $10,000 in savings, retirement or otherwise? Do you suspect that the promise of a healthy and economically stable, state-funded retirement for American workers is indeed a thing of the past?

The retirement crisis in America is indeed tangible, enough so that the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions has waded into the fray with its own take on the issue – and a new move that mimics retirement alternatives in other nations.

Sen. Tom Harkin, committee chair, recently floated the notion of creating an all-new, privately run retirement plan closer to a pension system than any mixture of current 401(k)-styled models. It's got a fancy name, too: Universal, Secure and Adaptable Retirement Funds. Like, USA Funds. It has a nice ring to it.