Share options offer employees only risk and little income

By David Walker Companies relying on share and option plans to provide workers' retirement funds, rather than properly implemented pension plans, may do so to their employees' detriment, according to a leading employee benefits expert. Michael Prior, head of employee benefits at Morgan Cole, said providing share option plans instead of pensions in a benefits package would tie workers' wealth to one share price. Technology business AOL recently announced it had removed its pension plan, but left its share scheme in place. "Option schemes are clearly part of the remuneration strategy in t...