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:

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Nearly 300 journalists at Reuters, the global news agency, walked off the job yesterday for 24 hours in protest of management’s slow-walking contract renewal negotiations, the first major labor action by journalists at the company in more than 30 years.

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A strong contingent of New York State Alliance of Retired Americans leaders participated in the ARA virtual National Membership meeting July 27-28. The program included addresses by AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler and Secretary-Treasurer Fred Raymond, along with U.S. Rep.

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Union members worked together across the labor movement to win many important victories for working people last year.

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Staff at Harper Collins Publishers including workers in editorial, sales, publicity, design, legal and marketing held a one day strike on Wednesday to back up their demand for a fair contract.

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The Atlantic’s business and technology teams announced the formation of a union Thursday, the latest sign of growing support for unions among both tech and administrative workers in the media industry.