Pension Plan Limitations for 2011 Announced

Pension Plan Limitations for 2011 Announced: "The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has announced cost of living adjustments affecting dollar limitations for pension plans and other retirement-related items for 2011 tax year. By and large, the limits will either be unchanged, or the inflation adjustments for 2011 will be small."

Democratic leaders in the U.S. House discuss confiscating 401(k)s, IRAs , page 3

Democratic leaders in the U.S. House discuss confiscating 401(k)s, IRAs , page 3: "The testimony of Teresa Ghilarducci, professor of economic policy analysis at the New School for Social Research in New York, in hearings Oct. 7 drew the most attention and criticism. Testifying for the House Committee on Education and Labor, Ghilarducci proposed that the government eliminate tax breaks for 401(k) and similar retirement accounts, such as IRAs, and confiscate workers’ retirement plan accounts and convert them to universal Guaranteed Retirement Accounts (GRAs) managed by the Social Security Administration."

News from The Associated Press

News from The Associated Press: "House Republicans plan to unveil a roughly 20-point agenda Thursday, less than six weeks before midterm congressional elections in which they're favored to add substantially to their ranks - and possibly cost Democrats control of the chamber."

GOPUSA � The Loft � Message to Obama: I'm Exhausted Too!

GOPUSA � The Loft � Message to Obama: I'm Exhausted Too!: "The more Barack Obama talks, the more is revealed about his attitudes toward America, capitalism, free enterprise, and the American dream. Under Obama, if you strive to do well, your reward is to pay for the massive cost of government. You cannot create new jobs, because Obama needs your money to feed his government machine. You cannot run your business as you see fit, because Obama is taking control of industry after industry."

Will The Government Nationalize Your Retirement Funds ?

Will The Government Nationalize Your Retirement Funds ?: "It's no secret that Obama Hood and his band of merry liberals want to redistribute wealth and centralize power in this country (but don't call them socalists !). They don't trust the American people to handle their own money properly. They view the American people as too ignorant to be trusted with much of anything, and besides, in Liberal La La Land, your wages really belong to the government in the first place. That's why liberals refer to things like tax cuts as 'government spending.' Liberals say things like 'why should the government spend $700 billion on tax cuts for the wealthy ?,' as if a person's wages belong to Obama and company instead of to the person who earned those wages. And never mind that the wealthy already pay the highest taxes in the country by far. If you point that out to liberals, they will start reminiscing fondly about the 'good old days,' when the highest marginal tax rate was over 90% here in the land of the free-up-to-a-point-to-be-determined-by-liberal-wealth-confiscaters. In true Orwellian fashion, liberals call such discriminatory theft 'fairness.'"

Locking In Income for a Lifetime - WSJ.com

Locking In Income for a Lifetime - WSJ.com: "To reduce that risk, the Obama administration wants to prod workers into investing in lifetime-income products such as annuities, insurance contracts that function like pensions by paying a guaranteed monthly income in return for a big chunk of cash upfront.

This year, the Labor and Treasury departments asked for comments on steps the government could take to steer workers into annuities. One suggestion would require that part of an employee's 401(k) plan contributions be placed in an annuity that would automatically start providing income at retirement, unless the worker opts out."

Government wants your 401(k)

Government wants your 401(k): "The Obama administration appears to be proceeding with a novel way of financing trillion-dollar budget deficits by forcing IRA and 401(k) holders to buy Treasury bonds by mandating the placement of government-structured annuities in their investment accounts.

The requirement to invest private retirement assets has been cleverly buried within plans to create 'automatic IRAs' that would mandate employer groups enroll all employees in 401(k) or IRA plans."

Withdrawals from retirement plans escalating | Minneapolis and St. Paul | kare11.com

Withdrawals from retirement plans escalating | Minneapolis and St. Paul | kare11.com: "Recent financial headlines have touted the improving trend of companies restoring their 401(k) matches to employees. While that is great news, thousands of American's are still struggling to make ends meet. The number of workers tapping their retirement plans continues to increase, according to a new report by Fidelity Investments."

GOPUSA � Commentary � Sherline: Privatizing Social Security

GOPUSA � Commentary � Sherline: Privatizing Social Security: "The best answer to reforming the Social Security system is to wean it off the government dole by allowing people to set aside at least some portion of their payroll taxes in personal investment accounts for their own retirement. This has been done with considerable success in Chile, where the CATO Institute reported that during the first 22 years of their program, the rate of return 'was an astonishing 10 percent above inflation.' (Economist Estelle James Examines Chile's Pension System, February 25, 2005)."

Commentary: Market crash reveals flaws in 401(k) retirement system – North San Francisco Bay Area, Sonoma, Marin, Napa counties - North Bay Business Journal - Archive

Commentary: Market crash reveals flaws in 401(k) retirement system – North San Francisco Bay Area, Sonoma, Marin, Napa counties - North Bay Business Journal - Archive: "A number of studies done by life insurance companies only confirm and quantify the obvious – baby boomers of all ages believe there is a retirement crisis in America. Although the real estate and stock market crashes of the last few years brought the problem into the open, this malaise had been bubbling under the surface for quite some time.

Today, let’s review how we got here, where we went wrong and, most importantly, what we are able to do in order to get our retirement plans back on track."

Frazier: Ignore the 'Experts,' Stocks Poised to Plunge

Frazier: Ignore the 'Experts,' Stocks Poised to Plunge: "The weak economy will push U.S. stocks lower — perhaps substantially lower — in the weeks ahead, says David Frazier, editor of Newsmax newsletter The ETF Strategist.

Aggressive investors can take advantage of this move by purchasing inverse equity ETFs (exchange-traded funds), he told Newsmax.TV Money. These are funds whose share prices rise as stocks fall.

Conservative investors, meanwhile, should shift their holdings to cash, Frazier says."

Morning Bell: Unions Just Flushed $5 Million of Your Tax Dollars Down the Toilet | The Foundry: Conservative Policy News.

Morning Bell: Unions Just Flushed $5 Million of Your Tax Dollars Down the Toilet | The Foundry: Conservative Policy News.: "It is not every day we get to agree with the Obama administration. But after Sen. Blanche Lincoln defeated Lieutenant Governor Bill Halter in the Arkansas Democratic Senate primary runoff election, after the AFL-CIO, SEIU, AFSCME poured millions of dollars into Halter’s campaign, a senior White House official told Politico: “Organized labor just flushed $10 million of their members’ money down the toilet.” But it wasn’t just “their members” money that those unions were wasting. This year the Bureau of Labor Statistics confirmed that for the first time in the history of the United States, a majority of union members work for the government, not the private sector. To be exact, 52% of all union members work for the federal or state and local governments. That means more than half of the $10 million that unions wasted just in Arkansas first came from your tax dollars. And the waste goes well beyond Arkansas."

Administration Advances Plan to Federalize Private Pension System - State - News : Lincoln Tribune : Instant, reliable and credible local news.

Administration Advances Plan to Federalize Private Pension System - State - News : Lincoln Tribune : Instant, reliable and credible local news.: "In February, the U.S. Treasury and Labor departments jointly announced they were seeking public comment on proposed design changes to employer-sponsored 401(k) plans and individual retirement accounts that would centralize the private pension system under structures created and administered by the government."

Will The Government Eventually Appropriate Your IRA Or 401(k)? | Daily Markets

Will The Government Eventually Appropriate Your IRA Or 401(k)? | Daily Markets: "Will the laws and rules in place to protect individuals in their attempt to set something aside for retirement be safeguarded by the representatives elected to advocate for them in Washington? Will the principles and moral integrity of the political class keep them from appropriating the trillions of dollars held in 401k’s and IRA’s? I’m not so sure!

While the answer is most likely yes, when one realizes the magnitude of the financial predicament the U.S. might well find itself in shortly, it is indeed, conceivable that such an appropriation of private retirement accounts might prove to be too compelling for most politicians to resist."

New Rules Encourage Employees To Diversify 401(k) Savings - WSJ.com

New Rules Encourage Employees To Diversify 401(k) Savings - WSJ.com: "New rules designed to help employees avoid being stuck with too much of their own company's stock were issued Wednesday by the Internal Revenue Service.

Under the regulations, 401(k) plans and employee stock-ownership plans within 401(k)s must allow plan participants to sell company stock and reinvest the assets at 'periodic, reasonable opportunities,' and no less often than quarterly."

Investment Guru Russell: Stocks Risk Meltdown

Investment Guru Russell: Stocks Risk Meltdown: "The May 7 low for the Dow industrials was 10,221, about 1.5 percent below recent levels.

And the low for the transportation average was 4,243, about 1.4 percent below recent levels.

“If I read the stock market correctly, it’s telling me that there is a surprise ahead,” Russell wrote. “And that surprise will be a reversal to the downside for the economy, plus a collection of other troubles ahead.”

Russell, 85, has put out his newsletter every three weeks for 52 years."

GOP, Dems clash over modifying 401(k) plans - SFGate

GOP, Dems clash over modifying 401(k) plans - SFGate: "The 401(k) plan has become a political football.

Some Republicans have created a mashup of ideas leaving the impression the federal government wants to take over your 401(k) account. Democrats deny that notion.

'Republican claims are pure fantasy. It's like saying we want to put unicorns on the endangered species list,' says Aaron Albright, press secretary for the House Committee on Education and Labor, chaired by Rep. George Miller, D-Martinez."

Mad About 401(k) Annuities | Retirement Income Journal - The information forum of the decumulation industry.

Mad About 401(k) Annuities | Retirement Income Journal - The information forum of the decumulation industry.: "Scores of blunt, angry e-mails warning the government to “keep its hands off my hard-earned money” began arriving in the Department of Labor's email box last February after the DoL issued its Request for Information (RFI) about encouraging the inclusion of annuities as distribution options in 401(k) plans."

Government gets an earful on 401(k) proposal - Personal finance- msnbc.com

Government gets an earful on 401(k) proposal - Personal finance- msnbc.com: "What happens when the government considers tinkering with retirement accounts and asks for citizen input?

It gets plenty.

Government officials began seeking comments in February on a proposal to add an annuity option to retirement plans. Such an option would potentially turn a portion of a retiree's savings over to an insurance company in exchange for a monthly check."

Lexology - IRS asking employers to answer 401(k) questionnaire

Lexology - IRS asking employers to answer 401(k) questionnaire: "The IRS announced last week that it will be looking at 1,200 401(k) plans by way of a plan compliance questionnaire."

Your retirement savings may be next

Your retirement savings may be next: "Could� the Democrats in Congress actually be considering confiscating all 401(k), SEP and IRA accounts in exchange for offering Americans a 'guaranteed annuity'?

The� subject almost seems too far out there to even write about. While it is something that I had heard rumors of, I just couldn't believe this type of proposal would ever be considered in America. Let� alone become part of an active public policy debate."

The Signal - Santa Clarita Valley News - House Republicans send letter regarding 'GRAs'

The Signal - Santa Clarita Valley News - House Republicans send letter regarding 'GRAs': "Rep. Howard P. 'Buck' McKeon (R-Santa Clarita) and members of the House GOP Savings Recovery Solutions Group, including House Minority Leader John Boehner, sent�this letter to Labor Secretary Hilda Solis and Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner regarding proposed 'Guaranteed Retirement Accounts' (GRAs)�on Monday, May 3."

Get Ready For Obama's Next Target - Your 401(k) :: Political News and commentaries :: Hyscience

Get Ready For Obama's Next Target - Your 401(k) :: Political News and commentaries :: Hyscience: "First it was the banks, then the insurance companies, then the auto industry, then healthcare, and now, if this article is accurate, the piece de resistance - the private savings accounts of millions of middle-class Americans - your 401(k):"

Will New Rules Lead To Better Or Less 401(k) Advice? - Forbes.com

Will New Rules Lead To Better Or Less 401(k) Advice? - Forbes.com: "There's an obscure battle raging in Washington that could have a big effect on how you invest for retirement. Officials at the Department of Labor have proposed new regulations that they say will protect 401(k) participants and Individual Retirement Account holders from greedy advisors who have conflicts of interest. But some financial industry participants insist the rules will backfire, leaving employees with less or incomplete advice."

Obama Administration Plans to Seize 401(k) Retirement Accounts

Obama Administration Plans to Seize 401(k) Retirement Accounts: "The upshot of that clunky prose is that the Obama administration believes that employers cannot be relied upon to adequately manage the 401(k) retirement accounts it provides for their employees, therefore the federal government will relieve them of that responsibility and take sole discretionary control of those funds, thus eliminating the risk of mismanagement. In other words, the Obama administration is planning to divert the “stream of income after retirement” and channel it right through Washington, D.C.�"

Republicans Warn Against Changes to 401(K) Policy - WSJ.com

Republicans Warn Against Changes to 401(K) Policy - WSJ.com: "Republican lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday warned the Obama administration not to adopt any policies that could modify tax breaks generally provided to 401(k)-type plans.

The Treasury and Labor departments, in February, issued a 'request for information,' seeking input on 'arrangements designed to provide a lifetime stream of income after retirement.' That phrasing has been interpreted by some observers to mean a conversion to 'guaranteed retirement accounts' from defined-contribution plans, such as 401(k)s.

Republican lawmakers are concerned that implementation of some sort of guaranteed retirement accounts could mean that tax breaks on 401(k)-type plans would be ..."

Republicans Sound Alarm on Administration Plan to Seize 401(k)s - HUMAN EVENTS

Republicans Sound Alarm on Administration Plan to Seize 401(k)s - HUMAN EVENTS: "In February, the White House released its “Annual Report on the Middle Class” containing new regulations favored by Big Labor including a bailout of critically underfunded union pension plans through “retirement security” options.

The radical solution most favored by Big Labor is the seizure of private 401(k) plans for government disbursement -- which lets them off the hook for their collapsing retirement scheme.� And, of course, the Obama administration is eager to accommodate their buddies.

Vice President Joe Biden floated the idea, called “Guaranteed Retirement Accounts” (GRAs), in the February “Middle Class” report.�"

Bend Over America: Now The SEIU Wants Your 401k! | iStockAnalyst.com

Bend Over America: Now The SEIU Wants Your 401k! | iStockAnalyst.com: "Having ruined the pension funds of Americans nationally through corrupt and utterly unsustainable 'projections' of future growth labor unions are now targeting your money to make up the difference:
One of the nation's largest labor unions, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), is promoting a plan that will centralize all retirement plans for American workers, including private 401(k) plans, under one new 'retirement system' for the United States."

New U.S. retirement plan rules could hit brokers | Reuters

New U.S. retirement plan rules could hit brokers | Reuters: "Proposed regulations that restrict how financial advisers can work with company retirement plans could send brokers advising small businesses scuttling out of the market."

Obama ally targets 401(k) dollars

Obama ally targets 401(k) dollars: "A key labor union ally of the Obama administration has mounted an effort to create government-mandated worker retirement accounts as an entitlement program, with the possibility that a portion of all private retirement funds could be forced into U.S. Treasury debt."

Vox Popoli: Adios 401k

Vox Popoli: Adios 401k: "With all of the unfunded public pension liabilities that are so rapidly accruing, there is virtually no chance that the federal government isn't going to transform the 401k plan into a centralized pay-out-as-needed one like Social Security:"

ETFs Slowly but Surely Replacing Mutual Funds in 401(k)s | ETF Trends

ETFs Slowly but Surely Replacing Mutual Funds in 401(k)s | ETF Trends: "The exchange traded fund (ETF) industry has long lusted after the prospect of being a standard component of 401(k) plans. While it’s making some serious headway, one provider in particular is leading the charge and having an impact."

>>Obama’s Ponzi Scheme with your 401k. Believe it! � And So I Go: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow

>>Obama’s Ponzi Scheme with your 401k. Believe it! � And So I Go: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow: "It’s coming� people.� Obama is about to grab your hard earned savings in your 401k and IRA.�� For this your federal government will hand you a promise to give this all back to you in monthly installments for your retirement years.� The federal government has done such a great job with Social Security, Medicare, and the Post Office� that they want you to have faith�� they can do better with your savings than you can yourself."

� Don’t Let Obama Steal Your IRA Or 401K DonStorch.com: Columns/Opinion/Satire

� Don’t Let Obama Steal Your IRA Or 401K DonStorch.com: Columns/Opinion/Satire: "I made a conscious decision some time ago to get out of all U.S Treasury bonds and not to buy any more because America is on its way to bankruptcy.� The time will come when the United States will not be able to sell its debt on the open market.� And, that’s when President Obama will target seniors and attempt to steal their 401K’s through a mandatory program of investing their savings in U.S. Treasury bonds.

You already have that option, but the plan in the works would mandate a government plan for your retirement savings."

Don’t Put Your IRA in A Variable Annuity

Don’t Put Your IRA in A Variable Annuity: "If you’ve talked to a broker or agent about rolling over your retirement account, there’s a good chance the advisor recommended you invest in a Variable Annuity. Don’t do it! I believe the only reason a variable annuity is recommended for an IRA is so the advisor can earn more money. Let me explain."

Are New Roth IRA Conversion Rules Meant To Be A Short Term Fix For Government Funding? | 20s Money

Are New Roth IRA Conversion Rules Meant To Be A Short Term Fix For Government Funding? | 20s Money: "Government has loosened the rules making it possible for more people to convert their traditional IRAs and 401(k) funds into Roth IRAs.� This conversion essentially means you can pay taxes on the amount then convert it and not pay taxes on it again.

It seems to me that our sly politicians have found a way to boost the revenues for government in the short term.� Since the short term is all that matters when you’re a politician, why wouldn’t you want more Roth IRA conversions?� This doesn’t mean that it is a good thing for you and your money, but it’s surely a good thing for current politicians."

Too many cashing out of 401(k)s

Too many cashing out of 401(k)s: "Millions of Americans who lost their jobs during the recession are faced with the likelihood of being out of work for a long period of time, as the unemployment rate shows little sign of improving soon. Strapped for cash, many are tempted to tap into their 401(k) retirement accounts."

Are they coming for our 401(k)s?

Are they coming for our 401(k)s?: "Zerohedge is panicked that the Treasury wants to take away your 401(k) and instead give you an annuity following a lifetime of contributions. While the document they link to is somewhat more benign that Tyler suggests, it's more an dmore looking like the government wants to help us not make bad choices."

Examining the Impact of Obama's IRA Plan - Financial Planning

Examining the Impact of Obama's IRA Plan - Financial Planning: "With retirement savings dwindling President Obama has proposed as part of the 2011 budget proposal for workers to be automatically enrolled in individual retirement accounts."

Why the U.S. Government Wants to Hijack Your 401(K)

Why the U.S. Government Wants to Hijack Your 401(K): "It's bad enough that we've been forced to bail out Wall Street, but now the Obama administration is hatching plans to raid our retirement savings too.

Both the U.S. Treasury Department and the Department of Labor plan are planning to stage a public-comment period before implementing regulations that would require U.S. savers to invest portions of their 401(k) savings plans and Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) into annuities or other 'steady' payment streams backed by U.S. government bonds.�

With $14 trillion fiscal hangover looming, the Treasury can no longer count countries such as Japan and China to be dependable buyers of U.S. government debt. Not only have those nations dramatically reduced their purchasing of U.S. bonds, most of our largest creditors are now actively diversifying their reserves away from greenback-based investments in favor of other reliable stores of value - like crude oil, gold and other commodities."

Survey: 84% Would Welcome Fully Automated 401(k) Plans - Bank Investment Consultant

Survey: 84% Would Welcome Fully Automated 401(k) Plans - Bank Investment Consultant: "The Recession has prompted an overwhelming majority of American workers to believe it’s time for a new and improved model for workplace retirement programs, Prudential Financial [PRU] found in a survey.

Prudential’s sixth “Workplace Report on Retirement Planning” found that 84% would embrace a fresh approach to their workplace retirement plans, particularly more “autopilot” features."

Government to fund federal debt through 401K/IRA accounts?

Government to fund federal debt through 401K/IRA accounts?: "'Bloomberg reported Friday that Assistant Labor Secretary Phyllis C. Borzi and Deputy Assistant Treasury Mark Iwry are planning to stage a public comment period before implementing regulations that would require private investors to structure IRA and 401(k) accounts into what could amount to a U.S. Treasury debt-backed government annuity.'"

The Government Wants to Hijack Your 401(k)

The Government Wants to Hijack Your 401(k): "The upshot: The Obama administration has to find other ways sell government debt - without raising interest rates, a move that would almost certainly jeopardize the country's super-weak economic recovery.

Facing an uphill battle and increasingly skeptical buyers, the government is changing tactics and targeting the biggest pile of money available as a means of dealing with its fiscal follies - the $3.6 trillion sitting in U.S. retirement plans, including 401(k) plans."

The Government Wants to Hijack Your 401(k)

The Government Wants to Hijack Your 401(k): "According to widespread media reports, both the U.S. Treasury Department and the Department of Labor plan are planning to stage a public-comment period before implementing regulations that would require U.S. savers to invest portions of their 401(k) savings plans and Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) into annuities or other 'steady' payment streams backed by U.S. government bonds."

How Washington Might Change Your 401(k)

How Washington Might Change Your 401(k): "There's always room for improvement -- especially when it comes to your 401(k). After 2008, during which many American workers saw the value of their retirement accounts plunge 40% or more, even these terrific plans could probably benefit from a few reforms. With that in mind, Congress is considering changes to the rules that govern 401(k)s. We've rounded up a few of the ideas they've put on the table thus far."

Obama "Going After Wall Street".. Watch your 401K - Auburn Journal

Obama "Going After Wall Street".. Watch your 401K - Auburn Journal: "Obama is coming for your 401K fund next. Once the crisis in the stock market is clear, he will start talking about a 'NEW Social Security System' where your retirement will be pulled from your check directly (More than the current SSI) and the government will take care of you."

Bloomberg: Obama Administration Looks to Annuities to Improve on 401ks | Benzinga.com

Bloomberg: Obama Administration Looks to Annuities to Improve on 401ks | Benzinga.com: "What is old is new again..."

Government wants to urge you to loan them your 401(k)

Government wants to urge you to loan them your 401(k): "There literally isn’t enough money in the world to float the T-notes the Treasury must issue in order to prop up our unsustainable spending path. There are, however, about $3.6 trillion in funds just sitting in 401(k) accounts. If the government can urge–or force–you to convert your 401(k) into T-note funded annuities, the Treasury can continue to issue those notes to float the government’s deficit. Essentially, you’ll be converting your retirement funds into an IOU from the government…just like your social security account has already done.
This will allow the Treasury to keep borrowing money–from your retirement–in order to keep issuing more debt that they may or may not be able to pay back to you."

Will the Feds Fund Deficits with 401(k)s?

Will the Feds Fund Deficits with 401(k)s?: "The writing is on the wall for retirement assets held in conventional ways. A report last week in Business Week shows that the U.S. Feds have 401(k) assets in their sites."

Pajamas Media � Coming Soon: Substituting Government Annuities for Your 401(k)?

Pajamas Media � Coming Soon: Substituting Government Annuities for Your 401(k)?: "Back around the last Election Day, far-left Congressmen George Miller and Jim McDermott floated the idea of ending the 401(k) tax break in favor of “redirecting those tax breaks to a new system of guaranteed retirement accounts to which all workers would be obliged to contribute.”

The left has always hated private retirement accounts. First of all, they’re, you know, private, meaning the government doesn’t control them, and we can’t have that. Worse still, people with individual accounts aren’t beholden to a union for their retirement — although what good that does anybody who worked for a company that’s gone broke, for instance Pan Am, is a question never really answered by old-fashioned pension advocates."

WyBlog -- Obama's secret plan to nationalize your 401(k) and IRA

WyBlog -- Obama's secret plan to nationalize your 401(k) and IRA: "Obama's secret plan to nationalize your 401(k) and IRA
What if you woke up tomorrow morning and discovered that your 401(k) or IRA only offered one investment option, and that investment option was U.S. Treasury Bonds? Think it can't happen? Then you don't know how desperate Obama and Geithner are to prop up the Treasury securities market.

In a short conversation this noontime that CNBC apparently has omitted from their archives (Why's that folks?) Rick Santelli was talking about a potential to effectively force money into the Treasury market.

Where would they get this?

From your 401k and IRA accounts!"

Why Is Your 401(k) In Trouble? Because You Don’t Have Time To Read This Post - CBS MoneyWatch.com

Why Is Your 401(k) In Trouble? Because You Don’t Have Time To Read This Post - CBS MoneyWatch.com: "The average American multitasker is way too busy and stressed for DIY retirement investing.� This is not something you can do instead of texting while you’re bumper-to-bumper on the freeway. Talk about safety! What’s at stake? Your life, health, and happiness in the last, oh, 20 to 40 years of your life.

The White House has 401(k) relief high on its priority list for 2010. Among the questions raised: Should the 401(k) itself be retired? Should we have opt-in or opt-out?� Can we go back to the pension model - or something with more security?"

Americans Stand by 401(k) Plans, Survey Says | Retirement | Financial Articles & Investing News | TheStreet.com

Americans Stand by 401(k) Plans, Survey Says | Retirement | Financial Articles & Investing News | TheStreet.com: "Despite the recession that started in late 2007 and continued through most of 2009, Americans still have confidence in their retirement plans and investment options, according to a recent survey by the Investment Company Institute (ICI).
The ICI, the trade group of the money management industry, surveyed 3,000 households and found that, among households expressing an opinion about retirement plans, 90% had a favorable view. The organization's survey comes as the Obama administration discusses ways to encourage people to shift from 401(k) to annuities so that they don't outlive their retirement savings. The ICI opposes the notion, which could hurt revenue at mutual fund companies."

InvestorCentric: Could The Government Take Away Individual Control of 401(k) Savings?

InvestorCentric: Could The Government Take Away Individual Control of 401(k) Savings?: "A government proposal would take away some control of 401(k) by requiring retirees to convert some of their savings to annuities although 70% of US households oppose it. Whether this controversial plan would give retirees the hoped for security is however doubtful. See the following post from Expected Returns."

Americans Oppose Proposals to Limit 401(k)s, ICI Says at The Catherine Austin Fitts Blog

Americans Oppose Proposals to Limit 401(k)s, ICI Says at The Catherine Austin Fitts Blog: "U.S. investors oppose federal initiatives that would force them to give up control over their 401(k) accounts, the Investment Company Institute said.

Seven in 10 U.S. households object to the idea of the government requiring retirees to convert part of their savings into annuities guaranteeing lifetime payments, according to an institute-funded report today. The Washington-based institute represents the mutual-fund industry.

“People value the tool of the 401(k),” Paul Schott Stevens, chief executive officer of the institute, said at a news conference in Washington. “They do not want government to take it away from them. They think the structure works very effectively.”"

Obama Administration Wants to Annuitize 401k’s and IRA’s - Mandatory “R Bonds” at The Catherine Austin Fitts Blog

Obama Administration Wants to Annuitize 401k’s and IRA’s - Mandatory “R Bonds” at The Catherine Austin Fitts Blog: "As a rule of thumb, the worst possible time to convert lump sum savings into a fixed income annuity would be when interest rates are historically low.

Although products may vary, this is roughly equivalent to buying long term bonds at a time when interest rates are likely to increase, substantially reducing your principal in real terms, and eroding your fixed returns through inflation.

For some reason the Obama Administration is promoting the idea now that there should be some encouragement for Americans to start converting their 401K’s and IRA’s into annuities, to provide themselves with lifetime income."

401k/IRA’s: Is Confiscation in the Wind? at The Catherine Austin Fitts Blog

401k/IRA’s: Is Confiscation in the Wind? at The Catherine Austin Fitts Blog: "The U.S. Treasury and Labor Departments will ask for public comment as soon as next week on ways to promote the conversion of 401(k) savings and Individual Retirement Accounts into annuities or other steady payment streams, according to Assistant Labor Secretary Phyllis C. Borzi and Deputy Assistant Treasury Secretary Mark Iwry, who are spearheading the effort.

Let me tell you what this is - it is an attempt to prevent the collapse of the Treasury market!"

Should annuities be mandatory for 401(k)s? Fund companies go on the offensive - Investment News

Should annuities be mandatory for 401(k)s? Fund companies go on the offensive - Investment News: "Participants in 401(k) plans do not want the government to require them to convert a portion of their 401(k) assets to annuities, according to the results of a survey of about 3,000 households released today by the Investment Company Institute."

Government Wants Retirees to Convert 401 (k) Into Annuities

Government Wants Retirees to Convert 401 (k) Into Annuities: "U.S. investors oppose federal initiatives that would force them to give up control over their 401(k) accounts, the Investment Company Institute said.
Seven in 10 U.S. households object to the idea of the government requiring retirees to convert part of their savings into annuities guaranteeing a steady payment for life, according to an institute-funded report today."