EXCERPT:

"The pension savings and health coverage of thousands of workers are at risk because financially troubled small business owners increasingly are diverting funds earmarked for employee benefits to other corporate purposes, federal officials say."

OTHER POINTS:

DOL has "discovered a growing problem involving small, ailing companies misusing worker contributions to... 401(k) pension plans as well as health insurance premiums."

401(k) plans are not government-insured (nor are any of the defined-contribution plans).

Overall rate of theft still low, but relatively high rate in smaller business plans has DOL telling workers to keep a close eye on their 401(k) and health insurance accounts.

For complete text, contact The Los Angeles Times.