In 2004, Louisiana was leading the way to reforming the management of public pension plan assets nationally.

FORBES: Louisiana Public Pension Legislative Initiative Failed to Provide Needed Protection

To make this move, you have to work for a company that offers both a 401(k) defined contribution plan and a traditional defined benefit pension plan, and offers the option to roll assets from the former (the DC plan) to the latter (the DB pension).

FORBES: How To Make Your 401(k) Last Forever: The Pension Rollover

Harley raised the pension plan's expected return on assets from an already optimistic 10.3% in 1999 to 10.5% in both 2000 and 2001.

FORBES: Magazine Article

When you leave the company or retire, you transfer 401(k) assets to the pension plan, and the pension plan converts the rollover amount to an annuity that is actuarially equal to the amount you transferred, guaranteeing you additional lifetime payments in excess of your basic pension checks.

FORBES: How To Make Your 401(k) Last Forever: The Pension Rollover

The judge is often an investment consultancy, which helps company pension-plan trustees select the firms who will oversee their assets.

ECONOMIST: Fund management

For example, assets held in a qualified pension or profit sharing plan are exempt from state-law claims, such as malpractice claims.

FORBES: Estate Planning Overview and Objectives

If the employer has enough assets to pay out all obligations of a pension plan, then it can initiate a standard termination.

FORBES: PBGC Pension Termination: A Worker's Perspective by Terry O'Rourke, United airlines (December 15, 2007 )