This year has been fair to defined benefit (DB) plan sponsors in the U.S. and U.K. so far, where the funded status of plans are improving or at least holding steady.

More sophisticated U.K. DB plans show their North American counterparts how to deal with various types of risk, according to Aon.

Reaction ranges from enthusiasm to indifference to suspicion, depending on the industry.

This year's federal budget was expected to be one of restraint, and Finance Minister Jim Flaherty certainly delivered.

Employers that weren't expecting much from this year's budget will be happy as Finance Minister Jim Flaherty concentrated on cutting costs and tinkering with tax laws.