As a result, among employers that do offer a pension, it’s common to offer “ lump sum distributions .” With a lump sum distribution, the employee receives a single payout at retirement instead of monthly payments for life. This can turn an indefinite series of payments into one, scheduled expense, which is much more manageable for the employer.For this same reason, however, pensions have become unpopular among employers. The same reliability that makes pensions valuable for retirees creates high and indefin ...