Pension de-risking is when corporations transfer retirement income obligations to insurance providers, private-equity funds or other investors. : Lax regulation on Capitol Hill. Risky behavior by Wall Street. Everyday Americans going about their business, trusting their money will be just fine. Americans have long had an unfortunate habit of reacting to crises instead of anticipating them. When it comes to corporate malfeasance, that tendency cost the country dearly in the 2007-09 recession of 2008 — and unless we take a stand now, it could soon strike a cruel blow to the swelling ranks of American retirees.