LONDON -- The last five years have been tough for those in retirement. Portfolio valuations have been hammered and annuity rates have plunged. There's no sign of things improving anytime soon, either, as the eurozone and the U.K. economy look set to muddle through at best for some years to come.

A great way of protecting yourself from the downturn, however, is by building your retirement fund with shares of large, well-run companies that should grow their earnings steadily over the coming decades. Over time, such investments ought to result in rising dividends and inflation-beating capital growth.

In this series, I'm tracking down the U.K. large caps that have the potential to beat the FTSE 100 over the long term and support a lower-risk income-generating retirement fund (you can see the companies I've covered so far on this page).

Today, I'm going to take a look at Aviva (LSE: AV.L) (NYSE: AV) , a high-yield favorite with some Fools and the U.K.'s only composite insurer (it sells life insurance and general insurance).

Premium performance?Aviva currently offers an outstandingly high yield of 8.1%, something it has in common with its peer RSA Insurance Group. The reason for this is that both shares have chronically underperformed the FTSE 100 over the last 10 years, despite remaining profitable and paying solid dividends:

Total return

2007

2008

2009

2010

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Is Aviva the Ultimate Retirement Share?

When we get to a certain age -- kids launched or launching, our own parents frail or gone from us -- its only natural to start wondering about how the years are going to go and what we will do with the rest of them, along with where we will do it.

Kings Point, a documentary directed and produced by Sari Gilman, makes you think even harder about those questions. It features five people who years ago did what many older Americans choose to do: pull up stakes and move to a retirement resort where they can dance, play golf and cards or enjoy a broad array of other activities and hobbies cheek by jowl with other retirees.

But the years have rolled on for Jane, Mollie, Gert, Bea and Frank, and the times are no longer as easy and happy at Kings Point as they were when they first moved to Florida.

Frank is passing his days with Bea but wants to find someone younger. Gert is adamant that she will not move in with her children -- and doesnt think they would want her to anyway. Mollie, who came to Kings Point with her now-deceased husband after he had a heart attack, regrets that she ever left New York. The five people talk about how hard it is to foster deep friendships where they live, whether they could ever fall in love again and how people at Kings Point keep their illnesses to themselves.

People in Los Angeles can watch the short film through Thursday at the Laemmle NoHo7 as part of the International Documentary Assn.s DocuWeeks 2012 program.

I spoke with Gilman about the film, which is dedicated to her grandmother Ida Gilman. Heres some of the interview, edited down for length and clarity.

Why did you decide to make the film?

My grandmother lived [at Kings Point] for 30 years and I visited her from the time I was about 9. I When I was younger, I was really fascinated by the place -- it seemed like summer camp for old people.

[But over time things shifted:] I saw a lot of loneliness, and I saw a lot of people staying in and not going out as much. If you had your health, that kind of made you popular. And if you didnt, people stopped coming by. I would hear people at the pool sort of whispering, Oh, Ida -- shes going down.

All of a sudden, everyone was going to the doctor instead of going to the clubhouse, but people didnt want to hear the other person complain. I imagined there was a lot going on internally with the residents there, but they didnt have an opportunity to talk to each other about it.

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Retirement resorts don't look so rosy in documentary film

The governments central personnel agency says that allowing federal employees to phase into retirement is one of its important goals and it will make the option available as soon as possible.

However, participation will be entirely voluntary for both employees and their employing agencies, and certain categories of workers will be excluded, the Office of Personnel Management added in a fact sheet it recently sent to agencies.

Under phased retirement, an agency will be able to offer employees who are retirement-eligible the choice of switching to part-time work. They would draw a partial salary and a partial annuity, both prorated according to the time worked.

Phased retirement had been proposed for years as helping employees interested in cutting back on their work schedules rather than retiring fully, while the government would continue to benefit from their expertise. The law envisions that phased retirees would spend a fifth of their working time mentoring younger employees.

The authority was enacted as a cost-saving part of an unrelated bill signed last month, but the option will not be available until OPM issues implementing rules. OPM has not released an expected start-up date.

Under the traditional law in effect until then, when federal retirees return to work for the government they continue to receive their full annuities, but their pay generally is reduced by an equal amount. Limited exceptions allow for full receipt of both.

An effective phased retirement plan has been a long-sought goal. However, under prior law, the problem was that an individual who was retirement-eligible but wished to continue employment on a part-time basis generally had little economic incentive to do so because an employees potential retirement benefits would often be equal to or greater than their salary would be for part-time employment, OPM said.

While the law authorizing phased retirement would allow retirees to work between one and four days a week on average, OPM told agencies that at the outset, at least, only half-time work will be allowed.

Phased retirement will be available only to those who meet standard retirement eligibility rules and who also had been working full-time for the three previous years. Employees who are subject to mandatory retirement will be excluded; most of them work in law enforcement, air traffic control and firefighting.

Phased retirees will be treated as employees for purposes of health and life insurance coverage and survivor benefits, OPM said. When they decide to retire fully, their annuity benefits will be paid in full, with increases reflecting their additional working time.

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Plan would allow federal workers to phase into retirement

INDIANAPOLIS, IN--(Marketwire -08/14/12)- Thanks to its one-of-a-kind Complete Assassin Software Setup, which configures everything from audio/video codecs to bios settings for both Windows Media Center and XBMC, Assassin HTPC is transforming the home theater personal computer industry by making its media systems fully functional and unbelievably easy to enjoy -- right out of the box!!

Now, more than ever before, Assassin HTPC makes owning and operating a Home Theater Personal Computer (HTPC) so easy that even the most technologically-challenged consumer can enjoy the perks of a cutting-edge, fully-customizable media system.

With the Complete Assassin Software Setup, customers can now choose to have any Assassin HTPC arrive entertainment-ready -- including having media folders created and mapped upon arrival. This means that audiophiles everywhere can skip the troubleshooting, tweaking settings and configuring codecs and simply enjoy Assassin HTPC's mind-blowing media capabilities in three easy steps: Plug in the system, load content and enjoy!

About Assassin HTPCWidely acclaimed and reviewed for its exceptional yet affordable media systems and extensive collection of technical guides, Assassin HTPC is the leading resource for HTPCs and media server customizations.

Assassin HTPC offers systems in five different product categories -- Performance, Media Extenders, Audiophile, Gaming, and Custom -- all meticulously designed, handcrafted and tested in the USA. With price points ranging from $250 to $2,500, Assassin HTPC has something to offer to every video and audiophile, regardless of budget or technical expertise. Each one-of-a-kind unit is built to satisfy a customer's personal entertainment dreams and needs, and comes with Assassin HTPC's 110 percent satisfaction guarantee.

Learn more Assassin HTPC: http://www.assassinhtpc.com Assassin HTPC's Blog and Tutorials: http://www.assassinhtpcblog.com Assassin Media Servers Blog and Tutorials: http://www.assassinserver.com To order or learn more: 317-687-4872

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Assassin HTPC Revolutionizes the Home Theater Personal Computer Industry by Offering Out-of-the-Box Ready Pre ...

Updated:August 13, 2012,9:24 pmET

The 2012 Olympics are over and NBA veteran Leandro Barbosa remains unsigned after personal success on the worlds biggest stage.

Barbosa led Brazil in scoring by a wide margin over the past two weeks. His 16.2 points per game and 40 percent three-point shooting at the Olympics was indicative of Barbosas play in the NBA over his career. Barbosa has a much bigger role on his national team and in the Quarter Finals loss to Argentina, it was Barbosa who almost led them back with a team-high 22-point performance.

Last season, Barbosa was still one of the fastest guards in the league and deserving of his Brazilian Blur nickname. A one-man fast break over his nine NBA seasons, Barbosa can be nearly unstoppable on straight-line drives to the basket and his career 39.1 percent three-point shooting is a constant threat.

At 29 years old, Barbosa has already played the mentors role in Toronto and Indiana where he has shown a willingness to play behind younger players while maintaining a strong positive and supportive voice on the floor, on the bench and in the locker room.

Barbosa would fit in as a veteran with a group of younger players or as the fireplug off the bench on a contender that may not be able to provide consistent minutes some players need. He has been linked to the Los Angeles Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers among other teams.

Barbosa is an unrestricted free agent, but accepted the risk of playing for his national team without the security of a new contract.

Productive, self-motivated and willing to play for the love of the game, there should be a spot on an NBA roster for the veteran guard.

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Olympian Leandro Barbosa Remains Unsigned

KUSA - Forming the right habits can lead to success - both in one's personal life and the business world - and understanding what makes a habit is the premise behind the New York Times bestselling book "The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business."

Author Charles Duhigg, who is an investigative reporter with the New York Times, says retailers have become experts at studying shoppers' habits to create marketing campaigns.

"They create marketing campaigns unique and personalized to you to take advantage of what they've learned about your habits to see if they can trigger those automatic behaviors," he said.

Duhigg says neurological studies show every habit has three components.

"There's a cue - which is like a trigger for the behavior to start unfolding - and then the automatic behavior itself, and then finally, a reward," he said. "The reward is how our brain learns to remember that pattern for the future. What companies like Target - or anyone else - does is they focus on the cues and the rewards. They understand what triggers your behavior, and what reward drives that behavior. "

Duhigg says grocers put healthy food like produce at the front of their stores to trigger the reward mechanism when a shopper passes the junk food isle later in the visit. He says once you have an item like a tomato in your cart, you are more likely to reward yourself with a box of cookies as you make your way through the store.

He says the book also focuses on the daily routine of Olympian swimmer Michael Phelps, who he says has created a series of mental habits that have lead to his success.

"Once you understand how to diagnose habits - how to diagnose those cues and rewards - you learn how to control the automatic behaviors," Duhigg said. "And once you're in control, you can change your life."

To learn more about Charles Duhigg and "The Power of Habit," visit http://charlesduhigg.com/.

(KUSA-TV 2012 Multimedia Holdings Corporation)

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Author: Controlling habits is the key to success

BETHESDA, Md., Aug. 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --According to new research that captured data from more than 1,000 of the nation's most frequent business travelers, time on the road adds value to their lives beyond business and is a source of personal happiness. The first-of-its-kind study, conducted by Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott, explored the emotions of the nation's most experienced road warriors before, during and after a business trip.

"We feel the best way to help our guests succeed is to understand how they operate, so we can maximize their experience at our hotels," said Shruti Buckley, vice president and global brand manager, Fairfield Inn & Suites. "They demand an environment that allows them to be productive, yet one that is also inviting, upbeat and personal, so that's what we deliver."

Key Finding 1: Frequent Business Travel Enhances Your LifeAlong with its ability to boost one's professional development, the study found that frequent business travel has significant personal benefits.

"The overwhelming majority of travelers are satisfied or very satisfied with the amount they travel for business, which says a lot about the personal benefits to business travel," said Buckley. "Thirty percent would even like to travel more often."

Key Finding 2: Frequent Business Travel Leads to HappinessFrequent business travelers experience positive emotions, such as happiness and confidence, on the road.

Despite experiencing travel delays; missing their families, pets and home-cooked meals; losing their luggage; or even skipping a family event, the vast majority of frequent business travelers report positive emotions when preparing for (86%) and during (88%) a trip. The most common emotions reported include feeling confident, knowledgeable, interested, calm, excited, eager, well-connected and happy.

"While more than half of frequent business travelers say they work twice as much when on the road, they also experience a certain feeling of freedom," said Buckley. "Sixty percent report feeling free to do whatever they want, which is empowering, as is getting their job done."

Some frequent business travelers might be smiling because they often travel with a colleague. According to those who travel with others, there are both physical and psychological benefits to companion business travel, including:

Other frequent business travelers' happiness might stem from the aspects of travel they qualify as most enjoyable, such as experiencing new places, meeting new people, going out to eat, earning mileage or loyalty points, trying new foods, not going into the office, spending time alone and meeting up with friends. Twenty-one percent enjoy the fact that they can get more work done on the road. Fifty-nine percent say coming home from a trip is like a honeymoon with their spouse.

Key Finding 3: Frequent Business Travelers Can Teach Us a LotStudy participants provided insights into strategies for success on the road.

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First-Ever Fairfield Inn & Suites Research Reveals Business Travel Leads To Happiness And Personal Growth

EATONTOWN Women entrepreneurs and business professionals are invited to register for the kickoff of Act Like a Lady, Think Like the Boss, a 12-part personal development workshop series.

Led by experienced networkers and successful local netpreneurs Stacey Womble and Alonna Picket, Act Like a Lady, Think Like the Boss empowers entrepreneurialminded women to gain control of their careers and financial destiny by helping them learn and refine the skills necessary to thrive in business, according to a press release.

The kickoff will take place 7:30-10 p.m. Aug. 23 at the Sheraton in Eatontown.

Included in the cost of the workshop is access to an expansive online community that features guest interviews from accomplished women in business, a discussion forum, updates on live networking events, advice on business etiquette and tips for balancing career and personal life.

Both Monmouth County residents, Pickett and Womble developed the workshop to help other local women avoid the struggles they encountered as college graduates following the traditional career path.

When I lost my job in 2010, it forced me to reassess my life. So, I went online and began researching, connecting and building purposeful relationships with some of the most brilliant online entrepreneurs. It wasnt easy, but I learned so much about marketing my online business and becoming a well-rounded business woman, said Womble, in the press release.

In 2008, Pickett accepted a full scholarship to Northwestern University to pursue a doctoral degree in African American history but instead discovered that the traditional route of going to school and getting a good job is failing miserably.

Today, both women own profitable webbased businesses.

According to the press release, a portion of the proceeds from the event will be donated to 180 Turning Lives Around, a nonprofit that supports victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse.

The cost for the series is $97. For more information, call 732-984-3257 or email stacey@actlikealadythinkliketheboss.com.

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‘Act Like a Lady, Think Like the Boss’ begins Aug. 23 in Eatontown

TAMPA, Fla., Aug. 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --The University of St. Thomas in Minnesota has selected Bisk Education's University Alliance division to assist in developing and delivering online degree and certificate programs.

The university, which offers more than 90 undergraduate and 60 graduate degree programs on its campuses, plans to launch its first online degree program, a Master of Arts in public safety and law enforcement leadership, in March 2013. The program will be offered by the College of Education, Leadership and Counseling at St. Thomas.

Bisk Education is the leader in developing and delivering online degree and professional certificate programs for top-ranked regionally accredited universities. Bisk has helped nationally ranked universities expand their reach and advance their mission since 1996. Through the partnership with Bisk, St. Thomas, consistently ranked one of America's Best Colleges by U.S. News & World Report, will bring 127 years of academic excellence to adult learners everywhere.

"The University of St. Thomas selected Bisk Education as its online vendor of choice because of a mutual interest in offering rigorous academic programs online for graduate students," said Dr. Sue Huber, Executive Vice President and Chief Academic Officer at the university.

Online programs will follow the same comprehensive curriculum requirements in other St. Thomas programs, and online students will receive the same diplomas. The university plans to offer additional programs online from its Schools of Social Work and Engineering, and its Opus College of Business. Bisk's state-of-the-art, video-based e-learning platform will bring these programs to professionals across the country who need the convenience of online education.

Bisk's unique value proposition focuses on six areas -- or principles of excellence -- that ensure the development and execution of online programs that help universities increase enrollments while maintaining their academic standards and traditions. Bisk provides universities with a comprehensive suite of services based on these six principles of excellence and continuously develops and enhances each online program to meet best practices and support student retention.

St. Thomas faculty will provide all course content and will retain the sole right to hire and dismiss faculty. The university also will have complete control over admissions, tuition rates, academic records, copyrights and intellectual property rights in course content.

"We're proud to be selected by such a highly respected institution as the University of St. Thomas," said Nathan M. Bisk, Founder and Chairman of Bisk Education. "We are committed to delivering St. Thomas' rich tradition and unmatched academic excellence to students anytime, anywhere online, enabling them to reach their personal and professional goals. The addition of St. Thomas' degree programs to Bisk's University Alliance division brings diversity to the current graduate level offerings and provides that audience with new opportunities."

To learn more about Bisk's comprehensive services for creating scalable online learning programs, please visit http://www.Bisk.com.

About Bisk Education, Inc.

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University of St. Thomas in Minnesota Selects Bisk Education for New Online Degree Programs

VERMILLION The University of South Dakotas online masters in education programs received an A for affordability from GetEducated.com, a consumer watchdog group that reviews and ranks online universities for cost, quality and credibility.

USDs School of Education, in concert with the Graduate School and Division of Continuing and Distance Education, earned award badges in ranking as a top Best Buy among online education degrees for teachers and educators for Education Administration for Master of Arts in Educational Administration (13th overall); Educational Technology for Master of Science in Technology for Education & Training/ K-12 Education (23rd overall); and Best Affordable Online Masters of Education for Master of Arts in Educational Administration (44th overall) and Master of Science in Technology for Education & Training/ K-12 Education (65th overall) degrees.

The University of South Dakota is a nationally-ranked leader in the field of online learning. Its efforts to offer a high-quality college education to the public through the innovative use of technology are exemplary, says Vicky Phillips, founder of GetEducated.com. The four Best Buy awards earned by USD mark the university as one of the best online education programs in America for educators and teachers who seek trusted, affordable ways to get educated online.

The average overall cost for all masters degrees in the online learning survey was $16,731, putting some of USDs education programs in the top 20 percent of the most affordable online education masters. Lamar University ranked as the most affordable online education school at about $6,450 for an online education masters for Texas residents. A complete list of the rankings is available at http://www.geteducated.com/online-college-ratings-and-rankings .

More information is available online about USDs Graduate School (www.usd.edu/graduate-school) and Division of Continuing and Distance Education (www.usd.edu/continuing-and-distance-education).

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Website Lauds USD’s Online Education Degrees