Blogs & Newsletters
A sobering thought on International Day of Older Persons
October 1 is International Day of Older Persons, a day to raise awareness about issues affecting older people and to appreciate the contributions they make to society. So it is fitting that today we look at how older Americans are faring in retirement. One way to measure the wellbeing of the elderly is to measure […]
“Wake Up, Washington!” on Women and Retirement
As we approach the end of the second week of Retirement USA’s “Wake Up, Washington!” Month” we have learned a great deal about the challenges women face in retirement. Women face special challenges because they make less than men and spend less time in the workforce. Yet they typically live longer than men, requiring more […]
“Wake Up, Washington!” launch
This morning things were abuzz at the National Press Club as Retirement USA (an initiative of the Pension Rights Center and other partnering organizations) launched “Wake Up, Washington!” Month. The month is dedicated to raising awareness among policymakers about the Retirement Income Deficit faced by millions of Americans. We learned that the Retirement Income Deficit […]
Spike in 401(k) loans and withdrawals
Thinking about tapping into your 401(k) early? Think again – at least if you want a shot at a secure retirement. In a recent report, Fidelity Investments notes that the percentage of Fidelity customers who borrowed from their 401(k)s increased over the past year from nine to 11 percent. Currently, a whopping 22 percent of account […]
Happy 75th, Social Security!
Our birthday present to you is that we are going to stop policymakers from chopping you to pieces. Social Security, you’ve been providing an economic lifeline that millions of Americans rely on. It’s too bad that on your 75th birthday, you’re under siege like never before. What a bunch of ingrates, right? You’ve become so […]
And the rich get richer…
Certain rules in the Internal Revenue Code are designed to prevent employers from discriminating against non-highly paid employees in their pension plans. Unfortunately for the retirement security of their employees, some employers look for ways to get around the nondiscrimination rules. Instead of sponsoring pension plans that treat all participants equally, some employers circumvent the rules […]
Think the government is after your 401(k)? Think again.
By Kyle Garrett Have you heard that the government is planning to seize your 401(k) and use the money to send monkeys to Mars? Well, we haven’t heard about the monkey part, but some people are making the claim that the government is gunning for workers’ 401(k)s. Let’s start with the facts. First, two governmental agencies (the […]
Social Security matters to America’s budget – Don’t cut it!
By Joellen Leavelle Over the last few months you’ve probably heard reports about the president’s fiscal commission. Word around town is that this secretive commission, with its stated goal of reducing the federal deficit, is seriously considering cuts to Social Security. Instead of looking at ways to reduce Social Security, the deficit commission should think of […]
New I.R.S. rules clarify when participants can sell company stock in 401(k) plans
Dow Jones Newswires reports that the Internal Revenue Service has released rules clarifying when participants in 401(k) plans can sell company stock held in their accounts. The rules implement a provision in the Pension Protection Act of 2006 that requires 401(k) plans to allow participants to sell company stock that has been contributed as a “matching contribution.” Congress enacted this provision to protect […]
Happy Older Americans Month
May is Older Americans Month. The U.S. Administration on Aging has announced that this year’s theme for the month is “Age Strong! Live Long!” which “recognizes the diversity and vitality of today’s older Americans who span three generations.” In addition, our friends at Wider Opportunities for Women will be holding their second annual blog day on May […]
Billionaires for Retirement INsecurity
Yesterday I joined friends from Social Security Works, OWL – The Voice of Midlife and Older Women, Social Security Matters, the Alliance for Retired Americans, the Economic Policy Institute, and others outside of the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center as Pete Peterson (you know him, he’s the one who is trying to scare […]
Pensions around the world
As someone who monitors the news on a daily basis, I often come across stories about retirement systems in other countries. Below are just a few of the recent articles that I thought were interesting. What can we learn from retirement income policies in other countries? Canada is studying ways to improve its retirement income system. Nearly 11 million of […]
