Today's number: 419,000

        U.S. workers filing new claims for unemployment benefits last week, up 8,000 from the previous week to the highest level in a month, the Labor Department said.

Today's money tip

        If you are switching jobs, you usually can take your accumulated retirement with you.

        You may be able to roll a pension into an Individual Retirement Account. Your former employer will have an administration agreement that gives you transfer procedures to follow. You can call the pension plan administrator for the proper paperwork and procedures.

        Your 401(k) also can be rolled over into an IRA. Both of these transfers should be done on a trustee-to-trustee basis to avoid unnecessary taxation.

        Senior executives should look to Prussian King Frederick the Great for insight on dealing with workers, advises Investor's Business Daily in a March edition.

        Frederick (1712-1786), who ruled Prussia for 46 years, felt a leader had to stay in close, firsthand contact with his people to understand what they needed. He often traveled incognito for an honest picture.

        He also set aside time each day to hear petitions and appeals from his subjects — a strategy that earned him respect from his people.

        Kristi Murnahan has joined Holland Communications as a writer. Ms. Murnahan will be responsible for writing creative, original copy based on clients' strategic objectives. She was a substitute teacher at Franklin McKinley School District in San Jose, Calif. Prior to her work with the school district, she was a field manager for the California Public Interest Research Group. She holds a bachelor's degree in English/creative writing from Miami University.

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