Help Wanted: Managers' hours up to the boss

Other than that, under state law workers over age 18 can be asked to work any number of hours a day.

As for overtime, which kicks in after 40 hours a week, state law says that managers are eligible if they make no more than $543.75 a week. Bona fide managers don't qualify for overtime under federal law. Managers must supervise at least two full-time employees and manage for most of the day, federal labor law says, and managers have to make at least $455 a week.

And the benefit you eventually receive could be lower than you expected for at least two reasons. First, once your company's plan ended, you stopped accruing benefits and interest. And secondly, the monthly amount you receive is subject to rules and limits set by Congress.

The good news is that despite your company's demise and its underfunded plan, you can count on a monthly pension check for life, the agency said.

The PBGC suggested that you call its customer contact center at 800-400-7242 for more information on how your benefit will be calculated.

As for lunch, state labor law guarantees most workers just a half-hour of uninterrupted time when they work more than six hours a day. Whether they get more time is up to their employer.

For more on how labor laws define managers go to http://1.usa.gov/151TzxU