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:

Jan 19, 2018 | News Story

Workers at Hunt’s Point Market have ratified a new three-year agreement that includes substantial pay raises and funding for the workers’ health and pension plans. The agreement was reached after workers had voted to authorize a strike if the Tuesday deadline was not met.

Jan 12, 2018 | News Story

This week, the Writers Guild of America, East announced digital media company Vox Media had voluntarily recognized the Vox Union as the representative for collective bargaining for around 400 creative professionals.

Dec 22, 2017 | News Story

On Monday, the Nation Labor Relations Board

Dec 29, 2017 | News Story

As 2017 comes to a close, it is important to look back on all that labor has accomplished this year.

Dec 15, 2017 | News Story

After roughly a year of bargaining, CWA announced this week that it has reached a tentative agreement for 21,000 members covered by the Orange contract at AT&T Mobility.

Dec 15, 2017 | News Story

Norma Rae is coming to Broadway. By now, most of us are familiar with the 1979 movie starring Sally Field, which tells the story of a North Carolina textile factory worker who chooses to join a union in response to poor working conditions.

Dec 15, 2017 | News Story

With nearly 52 years on the job, Teamsters 831 member Joe Caggiano is the city's longest-serving sanitation worker. The 75 year-old started back when John Lindsay was mayor, and garbage trucks only had three wheels.

Dec 8, 2017 | News Story

On Monday, adjunct professors in the CUNY system, members of Professional Staff Congress (PSC-CUNY),  joined with labor allies, students, and members of the community to call for a fair contract for the CUNY workers.

Dec 7, 2017 | News Story

This Wednesday, Jet Blue flight attendants traveled to Washington, D.C. to file paperwork with the National Mediation Board to join the Transport Workers Union.  Jet Blue employs roughly 4,800 flight attendants, 2,200 of whom work at JFK Airport.  

Dec 1, 2017 | News Story

With their union contract recently expired, CUNY faculty and staff represented by the Professional Staff Congress will press CUNY management to come to the table and negotiate an agreement that protects the quality of a CUNY education and helps students to succeed.