The challenges of an aging workforce have led to a balancing act that affects the way major businesses view their role in supporting retirement security and in the structure of the programs they offer. This involves:

• Remaining competitive and meeting the demands of customers and shareholders
• Maintaining the workforce that supports the goals of the business
• Deciding on the best way to support employee needs for financial and retirement security
• Keeping risk within benefit programs at acceptable levels and balancing risk with suitable costs

Yet retirement security comes from a combination of plan benefits, other benefit programs, and actions of the employer, government, and individual going beyond the plan. This Executive Action report combines results from a recent survey by The Conference Board with new information and research about the evolving retirement system.