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EBRI

Issue Briefs

‘More Detail on Lump-Sum Distributions of Workers Who Have Left a Job, 2006,’ and ‘The Basics of Medicare, Updated With the 2009 Board of Trustees Report’

This article examines workers’ decisions to a take a lump-sum distribution—a one-time payment—from an employment-based retirement plan when changing jobs, while remaining in the labor force. It builds on earlier, top-line data from the 2004 Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP). This study provides estimates of the percentage of workers changing jobs and leaving their assets in their former employers’ plan, compares the standard of living of individuals age 55 or older with that of their early 50s, and assesses how the current near-elderly and elderly have fared after making a lump-sum decision. Press release EBRI Notes Jul 7, 2009 20 pages

The 2009 Health Confidence Survey: Public Opinion on Health Reform Varies; Strong Support for Insurance Market Reform and Public Plan Option, Mixed Response to Tax Cap

As Congress prepares to debate a major overhaul of the nation’s health care system, Americans already have formed opinions in support of several proposals to expand coverage that have been part of the preliminary discussion, according to the 12th annual Health Confidence Survey. But attitudes could change as the public learns more about the details. EBRI Issue Brief Jul 1, 2009 20 pages

“Savings Needed for Health Expenses in Retirement: An Examination of Persons Ages 55 and 65 in 2009,” and “Many 401(k) Sponsors Suspending Matching Contributions Also Funding Defined Benefit Pension Plans”

EBRI has published a newly updated set of estimates of the amount of money individuals and couples will need to cover certain health care expenses in retirement. The new estimates attempt to provide current information to allow men, women, and couples deal with the financial consequences of longevity and investment risk, as well as the various types of medical care coverage available when they reach age 65. Press release EBRI Notes Jun 10, 2009 20 pages

Addressing Health Care Market Reform Through an Insurance Exchange: Essential Policy Components, the Public Plan Option, and Other Issues to Consider

A key element being discussed as part of health reform—the creation of a health insurance exchange that would offer new forms of insurance pooling, combined with an individual mandate and guaranteed issue—would restructure the health insurance market and has major implications for the existing employment-based benefits system that provides the majority of Americans with health coverage, according to a new study by EBRI. EBRI Issue Brief Jun 9, 2009 24 pages

The 2009 Retirement Confidence Survey: Economy Drives Confidence to Record Lows; Many Looking to Work Longer

The recession has cast a pall over the retirement expectations of the vast majority of Americans, leaving a record-low 13 percent this year able to say they are very confident of having enough money to live comfortably in retirement, according to the 19th Annual Retirement Confidence Survey (RCS) released today by EBRI. Among workers, those feeling very confident about retirement has tumbled by one-half in the last two years. EBRI Issue Brief Apr 14, 2009 24 pages

Use of Target-Date Funds in 401(k) Plans, 2007

About 37 percent of 401(k) plan participants who were offered target-date funds had at least some fraction of their account in target-date funds in 2007, and this is expected to increase as the push for better diversification of 401(k) participants’ assets intensifies from plan sponsors and policymakers, according to new analysis by EBRI. EBRI Issue Brief Mar 9, 2009 32 pages