The self-employed, by contrast, must decide to save for retirement and then pick their way through a maze of different plans, each with its own benefits and gotchas.

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According to Panasonic, that's to be expected, as the firm is somewhat undercutting its own LCD lineup by "extolling the benefits of plasma compared with LCDs, " and has even went so far as to "offer picture comparisons for journalists at electronics shows" demonstrating plasma as the superior format.

ENGADGET: Panasonic undercutting its own LCD HDTVs, focuses on plasma?

While each city develops its own registry with different rules, they often help employees provide proof to an employer of domestic partnership for benefits, and also confer legal rights in certain circumstances like hospital and jail visits.

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