Baker points out that private mutual funds, on average, charge much higher fees (as a percentage of assets under management) than the costs of the Thrift Savings Plan the federal government makes available to federal employees.

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Mr. NEIDL: As oil prices continue to go up, and especially if we're going into a slow economy and airlines begin to lose a lot of money, it'll put greater pressure on everybody - employees, investors, management, and the government - to look at consolidation.

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After all, with the government cutting back and big companies and banks reluctant to add employees, many of the masters in management students that I am teaching are quite pessimistic about the career opportunities in big companies.

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