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Reports that a growing number of employers are offering workers the option of having professional mutual-fund pickers manage their retirement accounts for a fee. Financial services companies involved in this service, including Fidelity Investments, American International Group Inc., Merrill Lynch & Co. and Wachovia Corp.; Downside of the programs, including the fees involved and the inherent conflict-of-interest in providing advice; Example of an employee with 43 percent of 401(k) retirement plan in the Fidelity Aggressive Growth Fund, that dropped in value when the stock market collapsed; Percentage of participants in 401(k) or similar plans that had more than half their balances in his or her company's stock, suggesting too much investment in one product. INSET: Professional Help.

Focuses on the retirement planning of Jim and Sue May, a Kentucky couple. Amount of money amassed in the May's retirement income; Comments from Jim May regarding how much money he will need to retire and how that figure kept changing over the years; Questions that all pre-retirees should ask themselves; Analysis of the Mays' portfolio, indicating a need for diversification; Percentage of the entire portfolio invested in U.S. Bancorp; Advice given to the Mays from three retirement planners: Pillar Financial Advisors, Zussman Financial Advisors and Mayhew Asset Management.

Examines the new products and services offered by financial services companies designed to prevent babyboomers from drawing down their retirement money. Focus of new services, which are aimed at individuals who rely on 401(k)s or similar plans; Impact of bear market on a retiree's proclivity to hold stocks; Statistics related to the percentage of the population aged 65 or over in the year 2030, suggesting a huge market for financial firms; Evaluation of the various products being offered. INSET: Hand-Holding At a Price.