Big Blue is freezing its pension plan.

Mark Lennihan / The Associated Press

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Vigilance: Don't leave home without it

Sunday's report that officials were searching for a 15-year-old girl from Ireland who fell off of a cruise ship near Isla Mujeres, a Caribbean island near Cancun that is popular with tourists, sends a poignant reminder to be vigilant — even when vacationing.

The teen was traveling on the cruise ship Costa Magica 26 miles from the island in the pre-dawn hours Thursday when she fell into the Caribbean. She's not expected to be found alive because the impact of the fall could have caused an instant death.

This report comes the same week that the family of honeymooner George Smith, who disappeared six months ago from a cruise ship sailing between Greece and Turkey, filed a wrongful death suit against Royal Caribbean.

Cruise ships are floating resorts, and it's easy to get caught up in their relaxed atmosphere and kick back as though you don't have a care in the world. These tragic incidents are a reminder that no place is utopic, and when you leave for your next vacation, cruise or not, remember to pack your sense of caution.

IBM retirement plan is out in the cold

You may have a Dell, dude, or an iPod, but Big Blue is still a trendsetter, especially in retirement.

International Business Machines Corp. froze its healthy U.S. pension plan last week. This decision illustrates the decreasing popularity of traditional benefit packages and emphasizes the use of 401(k) plans as a source of retirement security. IBM's $48 billion U.S. pension fund is strong and not in danger, according to The Associated Press. The freeze takes effect in 2008 for IBM's 125,000 U.S. employees — including about 1,800 in Tucson.

As IBM goes, other companies are sure to follow. That means you might want to brush up on your company's benefits package and know what is being offered to help you in your golden years. With a 401(k), the company usually contributes a set amount or a specified match to an employee's contribution. The size of the retirement will depend on employee contributions and the investments selected. Participation in a 401(k) has tax benefits to the employee and shifts much of the retirement responsibility to the employee.

Vigilance II: Stay in touch with loved ones

Caregiver mistakes led to the deaths of two elderly people at local care facilities, and another home temporarily lost track of two residents last year, the Star's Jane Erikson and Enric Volante reported Monday. Managers of the three centers have taken steps to improve the safety of residents, and the Arizona Department of Health Services fined all three.

We can only imagine the pain of knowing that a loved one died because of a mistake or the that an elder family member is lost while entrusted to the care of professionals. Lisa Wynn of the state Health Services Department suggested that family members take steps to make sure their loved ones are getting proper care, which includes talking to caregivers, visiting often and visiting at different times of the day.

"Consider yourself part of the care team and be willing to work with the people who are providing care to your loved one," Wynn said.

Sage, proactive advice for helping and protecting your elderly loved ones. — A.B.