Defined Benefits

Higher pay and outsize stock market gains are flowing mainly to affluent Americans. Yet these households spend less of their money than do low- and middle-income consumers who make up most of the population but whose pay is barely rising.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and National Association of Manufacturers support the overall deal, yet they and other business groups warn the fees will have a negative impact.

If GM had gone under, taxpayers would have had to pick up pension plans with a $26 billion shortfall.

The top three concerns were risk management (31 percent), low return environment (29 percent) and volatility (24 percent).

Fully 70 percent of all companies now offer various forms of education related to saving for retirement.

Most federal civilian employees hired beginning in January will contribute 4.4 percent of their pay to their pension plans under the House-passed budget bill the Senate is expected to approve this week.

The bankrupt city is expected to learn this week the value of roughly 2,800 of its pieces at the Detroit Institute of Arts when New York auction house Christie's delivers its final report.

Try these three steps as a way to differentiate yourself as an advocate for retirement plans that work.