A survey commissioned by the AARP reports that the current downward shift in the economy is having a big effect on people age 45 and older, causing them to delay retirement and take premature withdrawals from their retirement savings. 27% of those over age 45 say they have postponed their retirement plans and over one quarter are struggling to pay mortgage or rent. The complete summary and the full survey can be found at the AARP website.

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has released additional clarification of the "QDIA regulation," the final regulations governing Qualified Default Investment Alternatives (QDIA). These regulations provide plan sponsors relief from certain fiduciary responsibilities under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) for investments made on behalf of participants or beneficiaries who fail to direct the investment of assets in their individual accounts. The guidance has been published in the form of a Q & A that can be found at the DOL website.