Encyclopedia's Table of Contents

• Forward by Yung-Ping Chen
• Preface by Lois A. Vitt
• Introduction by Dallas L. Salisbury
• The Encyclopedia - Core Topics
   
• Appendix A: Chronological Summary of Post-ERISA Benefit Legislation
• Appendix B: Major Post-ERISA Benefit Legislation
• Appendix C: Organizations and Resources
• Appendix D: Types of Benefits by Tax Treatment and Function

Forward by Yung-Ping Chen

During the coming decades, retirement of the 76 million baby boomers - those born from 1946 to 1964 - will pose significant challenges for society as well as for boomers themselves. These challenges stem partly from the fact that the younger population cohorts have far fewer people available to work and pay taxes to defray the costs of public and private retirement benefits and health care. At the same time, increasing longevity compounds the problem. In short, lower fertility and greater longevity are making it more difficult for society as well as for individuals to prepare for retirement, both financially and nonfinancially.   [ more ]

Preface by Lois A. Vitt

The visibility of mid- to late-life finances as a major personal and national issue has increased significantly since the first edition of this Encyclopedia, was published in 1996 as the Encyclopedia of Financial Gerontology. Whether readers’ concerns are for the financial well-being of clients, colleagues, students, older relatives, or themselves, the times are vastly changed from just seven years ago. There is widespread uncertainty due to the changed nature of the country’s national security and economic priorities. Employers continue to seek answers to the pressing problem of escalating employee benefits, particularly health benefits. Workplace trends that shift both risks and costs to employees continue as well. There is an anxious new tone audible in the voices of thought leaders, policymakers, employers, and financial advisors, all of whom are calling on Americans to take more responsibility for their future personal finances.   [ more ]

Introduction by Dallas L. Salisbury

Public and policymaker concern about retirement savings led to passage in 1974 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) and to the Social Security Act Amendments of 1983. The Arthur Andersen, Enron, and WorldCom debacles of this new century have once again put retirement savings on the front pages of our news magazines and papers, and as the headline story on television news. The Encyclopedia of Retirement and Finance is being published at a time of great need for basic information. This need encompasses the public, the media, and decision makers.   [ more ]

Core Content of the Encyclopedia

• Advisors, Advice and Support
• Economic and Income Security
• Employment, Work, and Retirement
• Family and Intergenerational Issues
• Financial Investments and Insurance
• Health Care and Health Coverage
• Housing and Housing Finance
• Legal Issues
• Quality of Life and Well-Being

Sample Article

ACCELERATED DEATH BENEFITS, payment by an insurance company of part, or all, of a life insurance policy’s death benefits before the insured’s death in the event of certain qualifying events such as terminal illness. Availability of accelerated death benefits helps people who are facing death, life-threatening medical events, or confinement to a nursing home or extended care facility access to funds that would otherwise only be available to survivors. Familiarity with life insurance basics aids understanding of accelerated death benefits.

Normal Life Insurance Policy Benefits

An insurance company will pay the “face amount” (death benefit) of an in-force life insurance policy to the beneficiary when the insured dies. This is the case for all forms of life insurance, including term, endowment, whole life, universal life, and variable life. In term life policies, a promise to pay upon death while the policy is in force is the only policy benefit.   [ more ]