Speeches & Statements
03/10/17

Speech by Karen Friedman at a meeting of the National Education Association Retirees’ Organization (March 8, 2017)

Hello NEA retirees! It’s great to be here! Thanks for inviting me this morning to speak. I’m Karen Friedman, the executive vice president and policy director of the Pension Rights Center. We are a national consumer organization that has been around since 1976, working to promote and improve retirement security for American workers and their […]

PRC In the News
03/09/17|Reuters

Threatened pension cuts will test Trump ties to U.S. Rust Belt voters

Karen Friedman has been traveling the country speaking at meetings of retired union members – and they are angry. What riles them is the prospect of deep cuts in promised pension benefits, and they are hoping for relief from President Donald Trump.

PRC In the News
03/08/17|Chief Investment Officer

Bill to Rescind DOL Rule Extending Pension Coverage Sparks Fierce Debate

In a move that is sparking a firestorm of protest regarding the extension of retirement plans to uncovered workers, the US House of Representatives advanced two bills to overturn federal rules that would make it simpler for states to start individual retirement accounts (IRAs) for private-sector workers who do not have 401(k)s.

PRC In the News
03/08/17|Albany Times Union

Teamsters face 31 percent pension cut

A total of 16,500 retirees, mostly in upstate New York with a few in New Jersey, are facing the cuts. Another 18,500 who are currently working would also be affected upon retirement.

Comments & Letters
03/03/17

Letter to U.S. Senate on Congressional Review Act resolutions to overturn the Department of Labor rule on “Savings Arrangements Established by States for Non-Governmental Employees”

The Pension Rights Center sent a letter to key leadership in the U.S. Senate urging senators to vote against two resolutions that would overturn the common-sense rule issued by the Department of Labor in 2016 to expand retirement savings opportunities for private-sector workers who are not covered by an employer-sponsored retirement plan, such as a traditional […]

PRC In the News
02/28/17|NY Daily News

About one million American workers have pension plans on verge of insolvency

Nearly one million working and retired Americans are currently covered by pension plans that are in imminent danger of insolvency, according to an organization trying to help people keep their retirement earnings.

PRC In the News
02/28/17|International Business Times

How To Save For Retirement? Tips For Saving Early To Avoid Stress About What To Do When Reaching Retiring Age

Fewer than half of Americans know or have figured out how much they need for retirement – a scary thought when taken into consideration that the typical American spends about 20 years in retirement.

PRC In the News
02/28/17|ATTN:

How Republicans Could Block Access to Retirement Plans for Low-Income Workers

The United States Senate is on the verge of making a vote that would have a major impact on the chances for young and low-income people to save for a secure retirement.  

Speeches & Statements
02/23/17

Speech by Karen Friedman at a meeting of the Kansas City, Missouri Committee to Protect Pensions (February 9, 2017)

Hello!  I’m so happy to be here speaking to all of you. Karen Ferguson, the Center’s director, and, Joellen Leavelle, the Center’s communications and outreach director, both wanted me to say a big hello to you too! Because, like me, they love you guys! When Dave Scheidt picked me up at the airport yesterday, he […]

PRC In the News
02/21/17|The Washington Post

Will your pension be there when you need it?

Karen Friedman is the executive vice president and policy director at the Pension Rights Center, and Joellen Leavelle is the group’s communications and outreach director. Last week, I invited them to answer readers’ questions about their pensions. Here are some questions they didn’t have time to get to from last week’s Color of Money live chat.

PRC In the News
02/17/17|Washington Post

Color of Money Live Chat with Michelle Singletary

PRC’s Karen Friedman and Joellen Leavelle discussed an array of retirement issues during Michelle Singletary’s Color of Money Live Chat on February 16, 2107.

Comments & Letters
02/15/17

Letter to U.S. House of Representatives leadership urging a “no” vote on the Congressional Review Act Resolutions to overturn the Department of Labor’s common sense rule on “Savings Arrangements Established by States for Non-Governmental Employees

The Pension Rights Center sent a letter to key leadership in the U.S. House of Representatives urging them to vote against two resolutions that would overturn the common-sense rule issued by the Department of Labor in 2016 to expand retirement savings opportunities for private-sector workers who are not covered by an employer-sponsored retirement plan, such […]