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 15, 2022 | News Story

The WIRED union, a unit of The NewsGuild of New York, which represents more than 55 workers at the technology magazine, reached an agreement on a first contract with management late Monday night.

Jul 15, 2022 | News Story

Last week, one of the Starbucks Workers United leaders who had recently led the successful unionization of his store in Astoria, Queens was unjustly fired by the company. This is the first firing of a union leader in downstate NY.

Jul 15, 2022 | News Story

DC 9 Business Manager Joseph Azzopardi has penned an OpEd for amNY on the importance of union labor and the role of the Finishing Trades in transitioning to clean energy.

Jul 8, 2022 | News Story

Management has slow-walked WIRED Union's bargaining for over a year, refuses to discuss rights participation, and refuses to allow members of the Reviews team in the bargaining unit, in spite of their vital work for the outlet.

Jul 8, 2022 | News Story

Unionized employees of HarperCollins Publishers have voted by 99% to authorize a strike if the publisher does not agree to a fair contract. Local 2110 of the UAW represents 250+ employees in editorial, sales, publicity, design, legal, and marketing departments.

Jul 8, 2022 | News Story

Production workers at the long-running animated television shows The Simpsons, American Dad! and Family Guy have gained voluntary recognition from their parent company, 20th Television Animation, to join The Animation Guild. The production workers won with 90% support across all three shows.

Jul 8, 2022 | News Story

It was an electric start to the week as Governor Hochul signed three clean energy bills that will help ensure a just transition for our communities and workers while diversifying our energy system to help ensure reliability and resilience.

Jul 1, 2022 | News Story

With the current collective bargaining agreement between the American Guild of Musical Artists and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater set to expire today, the AGMA Ailey Negotiating Committee – made up of the Artists of Ailey – has been at the bargaining table for several weeks, fighting for a fa

Jul 1, 2022 | News Story

Workers at a second Starbucks store in Astoria have voted to join Starbucks Workers United, making organizers two-for-two in their efforts to unionize the neighborhood's coffee shops.