Blogs & Newsletters
Joint Select Committee focuses on multiemployer basics, asks for public comments
By Karen Friedman On Wednesday, at the first hearing (and second public meeting) of the Joint Select Committee on Solvency of Multiemployer Pension Plans, one fact became abundantly clear: the problem of multiemployer plans is complex and finding a solution to the issue is also going to be a challenge. But there was a general […]
Senate Lost and Found bill would help many retirees but would harm others
By Jane Smith Originally introduced in 2016 by Senators Elizabeth Warren (D–MA) and Steve Daines (R–MT), the Retirement Savings Lost and Found Act of 2016 (S. 3078) would have been a great help to the many retirees who are now searching for their earned retirement benefits. The Pension Rights Center wholeheartedly supported that bill. Unfortunately, […]
Joint Select Committee starts process to save multiemployer system
By Emily Gilbert Today I went to the first public meeting of the newly-formed Joint Select Committee on Solvency of Multiemployer Plans. Based on the comments of Committee members we are hopeful that they will put aside their differences and work in a bipartisan fashion to develop a fair and comprehensive solution to the multiemployer […]
Tax breaks for retirement plans should benefit more people
By Jane Smith The tax law enacted in December 2017 generated much discussion about “tax breaks” – who benefits from them and whether those benefits are distributed fairly. While most people are familiar with tax breaks such as the home mortgage interest deduction, there is less awareness of the tax breaks for retirement plans, and […]
Leaders Schumer and Pelosi make pension bill a top priority
By Emily Gilbert I was so glad to be able to accompany Karen Friedman, PRC’s EVP to a media event on Capitol Hill in support of the Butch Lewis Act of 2017. I started as an intern with PRC just 4 months ago and I’m so excited to be able to be part of a […]
New Multiemployer Bill Introduced at Amazing Media Event
By Karen Friedman Yesterday was the day we have all been waiting for, the culmination of more than three years of hard work by hundreds of thousands of retirees and their many advocates and supporters. In a regal room in the U.S. Capitol building, Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Congressman Richard Neal (D-MA) – surrounded […]
New York State Teamsters’ pensions to be slashed because of unfair law
By Karen Friedman Last week, the news came in that workers and retirees voted in favor of pension cuts by the New York State Teamsters Pension Fund. But dig a little deeper and you’ll see that the vote results are tainted. Because if you look at ballots cast, the workers and retirees overwhelmingly voted against […]
Ready or not, here comes the conflict-of-interest rule!
By Jane Smith The fiduciary rule, a new Department of Labor regulation that took partial effect on June 9, 2017, requires investment advisers to provide advice that is in the best interests of their clients. The implementation of this common-sense regulation, also known as the conflict-of-interest rule, is a big win for investors. The rule […]
Surprise! A lot of people are still in pension plans
By Jane Smith The newest addition to our Statistics pages reveals what some may consider a surprising fact: Nearly one-third of private-sector workers participating in retirement plans are in pension plans. Although there’s been a shift to 401(k)-type retirement savings plans, pension plans remain popular because of the security they provide to workers and retirees. […]
Age out loud: Speak up for your retirement rights
By Emily Spreiser May is Older Americans Month, and this year’s theme is “Age Out Loud.” The theme reflects the fact that today’s older Americans are vocal, engaged, and play essential roles within their communities. They are taking charge by speaking up and advocating for themselves and for others. To help older Americans advocate for […]
Hold On To Those Tax Forms! Keeping Your Tax Records Can Help You Protect Your Retirement Benefits
By Emily Spreiser If you’re like most Americans, you just filed your taxes. This means you probably gathered important tax documents to help. But now that you’re done, what are you going to do with those documents? Many Americans follow the general rule of thumb that you should keep your tax documents for six or […]
Don’t lose your retirement plan when you move!
By Joellen Leavelle A few weeks ago, the Pension Rights center moved to a new office. We’ve had to update our mailing address with the post office, vendors, people on our email list and just about anyone you can think of. Millions of people move every day, too, and they do the same thing – […]
