You'd be astonished how little of the value of a defined benefit builds up in the first 25 years of your career.

FORBES: The Big Chill

Plenty of companies see the value of defined benefit plans, especially in the wake of the financial crisis as employees have seen the shortcomings of 401(k) plans.

FORBES: How Secure Is Your Pension?

By holding assets to maturity, the government could benefit if they rise in value.

ECONOMIST: Expect more give and less take from the mortgage rescue