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:

Jul 1, 2013 | Press Release

Proposed Contract Would Hurt New Hires Through Tiered Compensation System

Jul 2

Join our brothers and sisters from Teamsters Local 237 representing NYC Housing Authority workers as they rally on July 2nd, to defend good jobs, programs and services from devastating sequestration cuts.

Jun 25, 2013 | News Story

After nearly six weeks on strike, members of the Legal Services Staff Association, NOLSW/UAW Local 2320 (LSSA) Monday approved a contract that allows the employees of Legal Services NYC (LSNYC) to return to work representing New York City’s low-income communities.
 

Jun 24, 2013 | News Story

The New York City Council has created a unique partnership linking labor unions, community groups and a network of respected workforce providers to mobilize efforts that will benefit job seekers, the under employed and the unemployed New Yorkers.

Jun 15

Nurses and healthcare workers care about the Bed-Stuy community and all of Central Brooklyn, and are proud of our hospital. But years of financial mismanagement have left Interfaith Medical Center (IMC) in a state of crisis.

Jun 13, 2013 | News Story

On Tuesday, June 12, thousands of City workers rallied at City Hall Park to demand fair contracts.

Jun 14

Fast Food Forward is organizing a rally in support of an extraordinary leader in the fast food organizing campaign, Gregory Reynoso, who was fired from Domino's several weeks ago. He was fired right after he led 18 of his coworkers out on a one-day strike. 

Jun 12

Striking members of the Legal Services Staff Association will hold Community Voices: Save Legal Services on Wednesday, June 12, at 2:00 PM, on the steps of City Hall featuring clients and community organizers who have benefited from civil legal services provided by the striking a

May 31, 2013 | News Story

On Friday, May 24, 21 Queens “carwasheros,” made history by signing the first ever union contract for carwash workers in New York City.  The carwasheros, members of RWDSU, voted to unionize as a way to protect themselves against wage and tip theft, and as a means of securing a series of raises, s