Are you worried about your pension? Three pieces of news this week suggest that most of us should be. Moneyfacts published research revealing that plunging annuity rates will give savers half the income that they would have received 15 years ago from the same pension pot. This depressing news was coupled [ Read More → ]

What’s stopping small businesses from hiring? One popular story line of the recession is that small businesses, which employ about half the workforce, are afraid to hire because they don’t know what health-care reform and tax changes will mean. Based on that narrative, some stock market observers predict that the November [ Read More → ]

Shopping around for a cheaper quote saves drivers an average of £58, according to Which?. Around 60% of motorists benefit from looking before they leap and other tips to trim your premium include increasing your voluntary excess – a costly gamble if you come a cropper – or telling your insurer [ Read More → ]

NEW YORK — This year’s back-to-school season isn’t as big a bust for retailers as they feared — or as last year’s — but it’s not great either. Americans are spending only when the item and price are just right, according to August reports from major chains released Thursday [ Read More → ]

Workers are paying a larger portion of their health insurance costs as businesses shift more of the burden to their employees to help ride out the economic downturn, an annual study shows. The average employee contribution toward premiums for family coverage climbed 14 percent this year to nearly $4,000, according to [ Read More → ]

James Mayer, The Oregonian Follow Share this story Story tools Brent Wojahn/The OregonianDanna Gunn of Portland shops for shoes on the opening day of Saks Off 5th in Bridgeport Village Thursday. The store features both discounted items from the full-price Saks Fifth Avenue line and merchandise made specifically for Off 5th. 3 0 Share In 1987, Saks [ Read More → ]

WASHINGTON - More than 3 million seniors may have to switch their Medicare prescription plan next year, even if they’re perfectly happy with it, thanks to an attempt by the government to simplify their lives. The policy change could turn into a hassle for seniors who hadn’t intended to switch plans [ Read More → ]

WASHINGTON - The Securities and Exchange Commission on Wednesday approved changes that make it easier for shareholders to nominate directors of public companies. The 3-2 vote allows groups that own at least 3 percent of a company’s stock to put their nominees for board seats on the annual proxy ballot sent [ Read More → ]

If you’re planning on going to warmer climbs this summer, take note – new guidance from Direct Line suggests that paying for medical care abroad is becoming more expensive, meaning that cutting back on insurance cover could turn out to be a false economy. The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), formally [ Read More → ]

According to new research from Child Trust Fund provider, Family Investments, the monthly cost of being a student has risen 28% since 2004. Full time students now face total living costs of £718 up from £561 in 2004. If the cost of living continues to rise at current rates, those students [ Read More → ]