Survey gives mixed results on retirement readiness, DOL issues FMLA guidance on same-sex spouses and the White House calls in famous friends to promote exchanges: 3 things you need to know this week

Poll reveals good news, bad news about employees’ retirement savings and savvy

So, first the good news: Survey results from Charles Schwab this week show that 401(k) participants are growing in retirement confidence. In a national poll of more than 1,000 savers, 89% say they’re counting on me, myself and I to support their retirement, compared to just 5% who are looking to the government. More good news: 55% have increased their savings rate in the last two years, and 70% say their 401(k) is in better shape now than ever before.

But. (You knew there was a “but,” didn’t you?)

The bad news is that retirement investors are confident, but they’re still confused. More than half (52%) say explanations of their 401(k) investments are more confusing than explanations of their health care benefits (48%), Schwab finds. Further, 57% wish there were an easier way to figure out how to choose the right 401(k) investments, 46% don’t feel they know what their best investment options are, and 34% feel a lot of stress over correctly allocating their 401(k) dollars.

DOL confirms DOMA ruling in treatment of FMLA

Reaffirming the Supreme Court’s June ruling on the Defense of Marriage Act, the Department of Labor this week issued guidance to confirm that same-sex spouses may be eligible for leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act to care for an ailing spouse or for activities related to a spouse's military deployment.

We say “may be eligible” because the guidance doesn’t alter current FMLA rules which say a person’s status as a spouse is defined by that person’s state of residence.

Therefore, until or unless DOL issues new regulations, employers must allow employees FMLA leave to care for same-sex spouses—but only for employees living in states that recognize same-sex marriage.

So, an employer headquartered in California (a state that recognizes same-sex marriage) that has employees working and living in Texas (which does not recognize same-sex marriage) would not have to extend FMLA benefits to a Texas-based employee to care for a same-sex spouse—even though the same-sex couple’s marriage would be recognized in California.

This week’s hidden gem: Obama administration brings in the big guns to promote exchanges

Among life certainties are these:

• What goes up must come down.
• The house always wins.
• When you need something marketed, call Oprah.

The White House, undefeated by the National Football League’s refusal to support the administration’s campaign to promote health insurance exchanges, has turned to a different set of partners, Employee Benefit News reports. Who needs offensive linemen, when you have Oprah?

The White House is calling on its friends in high places—including Oprah Winfrey, Jon Bon Jovi and Amy Poehler—to help convince 7 million Americans to enroll in exchanges come Oct. 1, including 2.7 million young people age 18–35.

No word yet on whether the celebrities have signed on, or the specific tone of the promos. We do know that the administration also has reached out to the website Funny or Die—maybe the campaign will be Enroll or Die?