Retirement is part of the American dream. Unfortunately, the nation’s financial meltdown is making the act tougher than ever. Social Security alone won’t pay the bills.

Government inspector general pegs maximum bailout bill… almost double annual U.S. GDP… Marc Faber on the future of the U.S. economy and an outlook for the S&P… A 30-second roundup of the Investment Symposium’s first day… buys, sells and trends you can’t miss… Pension funds in peril… America’s two largest announce $100 billion loss, more to come… Frank Holmes on the three most important value drivers of a gold mining stock…

“Crony capitalism” is a term often applied to foreign nations where government interference circumvents market forces. The practice is widely associated with tin-pot dictators and second-rate economies. In such a system, support for the ruling regime is the best and only path to economic success. Who you know supersedes what you know, and favoritism trumps the rule of law.

The dollar fights back! …  Soros sinks the euro…  Bad data yesterday…  And Now… Today’s Pfennig!

For Americans struggling to cope with falling home values and rising job insecurity, a shrinking pension plan is the “last straw”. But cashing in your retirement plan now is the worst thing you can do. Mike Caggeso looks at the three best ways to rescue your 401(k).

Growing up in a depressed mining area (coal mining isn’t profitable for anyone but the mine owners) teaches you things you would never learn otherwise. This is the only advantage of growing up economically challenged. The word poor is so not cool anymore.

“It is possible that some brainless members of the U.S. Congress may have introduced a bill that seeks to nationalize pensions, but I hope that it will not be given serious consideration, even by the liberal Democrat majority now in control.”

If there’s a proverb that captures the outlook for the U.S. economy in the New Year, it’s the one that says: “It’s always darkest before the dawn.”

If there’s a proverb that captures the outlook for the U.S. economy in the New Year, it’s the one that says: “It’s always darkest before the dawn.”