Retirement Security

Fewer employers today provide defined-benefit pensions for their workers—and among those that do, many are offering “defined-contribution” (like 401[k]s) rather than traditional “defined-benefit” pension plans.

That’s why Social Security insurance is essential for millions of retirees. Nearly two-thirds of retirees count on Social Security for half or more of their retirement income and for more than three in 10, Social Security is 90 percent or more of their income. It is a safety net that keeps retirees out of poverty.

It’s also important to figure out what you will need to retire. Talking a look at how much Social Security will provide, whether you have another form of pension and how much you spend are all components in determining when you can retire.

For decades, workers achieved retirement security because their retirement income flowed from a combination of employer-provided pensions, Social Security and personal savings. But the recession has exposed the severe deficiencies in our retirement system. We need to develop a new way to provide workers with lifetime retirement security beyond Social Security.

More about this issue:

Mar 24, 2023 | News Story

Workers at more than 115 Starbucks locations across the country including two in Astoria and one in Williamsburg walked off the job Wednesday to pressure the company to negotiate contracts with the unionized stores.

Mar 24, 2023 | News Story

Actors’ Equity Association, the national labor union representing more than 51,000 professional actors and stage managers in live theatre, has been bargaining with the Broadway League for over two months on an agreement for shows on tour.

Mar 24, 2023 | News Story

The Alliance for Retired Americans has released its

Mar 24

Friday, March 24, 11:30AM-1PM: Please join us for the commemoration of the 112th anniversary of the 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire, one of the pivotal events in US history and a turning point in labor’s struggle to achieve fair wages, dignity at work and safe working conditions.

Mar 17, 2023 | News Story

After weeks of bargaining and organizing in the streets to make their voices heard, 32BJ SEIU and the Bronx Realty Advisory Board this week reached a tentative agreement that achieves wins for the union's membership.

Mar 17, 2023 | News Story

Actors’ Equity Association, the national labor union representing more than 51,000 professional actors and stage managers in live theatre, is part of the call to invest in New York State’s arts industries. Assembly Member Daniel J. O’Donnell and Senator José M.

Mar 10, 2023 | News Story

New York is a union town and Saturday Night Live is built with union labor. But NBC Universal has resisted negotiating a fair union contract with its newly organized editorial crew.

Mar 10, 2023 | News Story

After more than a year of bargaining, the union membership of the Whitney Museum Union of Local 2110 UAW have voted overwhelmingly to ratify their first union contract with the Museum.

Mar 10, 2023 | News Story

President Biden unveiled his new federal budget yesterday, building on his commitment to fostering an economy that focuses on putting working families first.

Mar 10, 2023 | News Story

We join Sen. Bernie Sanders (Vt.) and Reps. Bobby Scott (Va.) and Brian Fitzpatrick (Pa.) in their call to pass the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act. Working people are sick of corporations raking in record profits while we can barely support our families.