How a Pension Works

How a Pension Works
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Anne Johnson
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Planning for retirement should start when you’re young. In the old days, it was started for you by your employer. But now that employee benefit of a pension plan has become a rarity. Yet just because it’s rare, doesn’t mean it’s nonexistent. And although most pension plans are held in the public sector, millions of people in the private sector still have them.

Most traditional pension plans have moved over to other forms of retirement planning. But it’s still important to know how pension plans work and what your options are.

Employee Retirement Income Security Act

Pension plans come under the U.S. Department of Labor, specifically the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). Established in 1974, ERISA sets minimum standards for most voluntary retirement and health plans in private industry. It provides protection for individuals who participate in these plans.
Anne Johnson
Anne Johnson
Author
Anne Johnson was a commercial property & casualty insurance agent for nine years. She was also licensed in health and life insurance. Anne went on to own an advertising agency where she worked with businesses. She has been writing about personal finance for ten years.
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