The HR Specialist

In addition to providing plain-English HR advice that tells readers what they can do, not just what they can’t do, The HR Specialist shows HR professionals how to raise the profile of the HR function from the back office to the boardroom. Readers will find personal success by developing innovative solutions to general management problems.  Learn more about The HR Specialist and the two free reports you'll get when you subscribe...

In the past two decades, 401(k) plans have become the dominant retirement plan offered by employers. In fact, 64 percent of plan sponsors responding to a recent Hewitt survey said a 401(k) accounts for their organization's primary retirement-savings program. That's up from about 35 percent just 10 years ago.

Just last month, Alcoa said it will eliminate its defined-benefit pension plan in favor of a 401(k). Still, 30 percent of eligible employees don't participate in their organization's 401(k) plan.