Pension Plans

* Although James H. Smalhout’s article (“Another Financial Time Bomb Is Ticking Away,” Opinion, Dec. 19,) shows that many pension plans are indeed in financial trouble, he does not tell us how we can find out whether our own plan is underfunded.

If you are concerned about your pension plan (and, after reading the article, you should be), contact your plan administrator and request Form 5500, which will indicate if your plan is underfunded.

What’s more, you can also request an annual report, which will provide you with more financial information.

TOM C. TAULLI

South Pasadena