Your 401(k) plan isn't the only retirement asset spilling red ink on your golden years. Professionally managed pension plans have been taking a beating too, raising issues not just for pensioners but also for stockholders of companies that offer such plans. Collectively, pension funds hold nearly $5 trillion, which secures steady income for millions of current and future retirees. Even though many employers have shifted to such "defined contribution" plans as the 401(k), 7 in 10 of the big S&P; 500 companies still provide a "defined benefit" plan guaranteeing employees a monthly check after retiring.
Because of investment losses, most companies...