Includes bibliographical references and index.

Employee benefits in the United States : an introduction -- Social security -- Employee retirement income security act -- Pension plans -- Defined benefit and defined contribution plans : understanding the differences -- Multiemployer plans -- Profit-sharing plans -- Thrift plans -- 401(k) cash or deferred arrangements -- Employee stock ownership plans --Section 403(b) plans -- Simplified employee pensions -- Retirement plans for the self-employed -- Cash balance pension plans --Individual retirement accounts -- Integrating pension plans with social security -- Nondiscrimination, minimum coverage, and participation requirements for pension plans -- Planning for retirement -- Health insurance -- Dental care plans -- Prescription drug plans -- Vision care plans -- Managing health care costs -- Health maintenance organizations -- Preferred provider organizations -- Employee assistance and health promotion programs -- Group life insurance plans -- Survivor benefits -- Disability income plans -- Education assistance benefits -- Legal services plans -- Dependent care --Flexible benefit plans -- Guidance on evaluating an employee benefit package -- The public-sector environment -- Social security -- Employee retirement income security act -- Defined benefit pension plans -- Defined contribution pension plans -- Supplemental savings plans -- Health insurance -- Life insurance -- Leave programs -- Emerging benefits.