Middle-class Americans' retirement at risk. Read excerpt below:

October 24, 2008

By John Gallagher, Detroit Free Press
USA Today

Through most of his working life, steelworker Ray West looked toward a secure retirement. His company pension would bring in around $30,000 a year, his union contract guaranteed retiree health coverage and he had 401(k) savings of about $50,000.

Three years ago, it unraveled. His company filed for bankruptcy. The collapse reduced his expected pension to around $5,000 a year and canceled his retiree health insurance. And, in three years of unemployment since then, West blew through all the money in his 401(k) as he trained for a new career.

Read entire article: http://www.usatoday.com/money/perfi/retirement/2008-10-18-middle-class-retirement_N.htm?csp=34