News You Can Use: Workers fear losing retirement savings

Employees aren't immune to the news reports of millions of Americans losing trillions of dollars in collective retirement income, and the news that increasing numbers of organizations are freezing their retirement plans, suspending matching contributions or both is heightening anxiety about their futures.

A new survey by Workplace Options finds that 59% of employees are concerned that money from their pensions and 401(k)s won't be there when they need it.

Dean Debnam, Workplace Options CEO says the worry causes a vicious cycle, as layoffs beget financial worries that decrease job performance and put employees in the line of fire for layoffs. "This, coupled with financial worries, can spell disaster for a worker's emotional and physical wellbeing, as well as overall productivity."

Even if your company is suspended its matching contributions -- which I strongly advise against -- or otherwise making retirement plan cutbacks, be sure to communicate with employees in a way that doesn't send them into a tailspin. Click here to listen to our podcast with communications expert Dennis Ackley and read the accompanying article, “Softening the blow of bad benefits news,” in the February EBN.

Overheard @: Ackley advises how to take the bite out of bad news

This month, EBN spent "Five Minutes With ..." Dennis Ackley, president of Missouri-based Ackley Associates. HR/benefit managers are the unfortunate staffers called upon to deliver the news workers never want to hear. To help companies design communication strategies for delivering bad benefits news, Ackley spoke with Associate Editor Lydell Bridgeford to offer several tips for employers to bear in mind. Click here to listen to the FMW podcast and read the accompanying article, “Softening the blow of bad benefits news,” in the February EBN.