Over the past few decades, there has been a lot of discussion about the demise of defined benefit pension plans. Back in 1970, an actuary named Bill Halvorson wrote an article in which he predicted that pension plans would be dead in the year 2000. Today, these plans aren’t dead, but they are on life support. Defined benefit plans are still relevant, but defined contribution plans have become more popular. The best solution for retirement would be a combination of defined benefit and defined contribution plans in addition to social security.