Speech by Karen Friedman to the Texas-Houston Committee to Protect Pensions
Hello, my friends from Texas! I’ve flown here today from Washington, D.C. I’m happy to be talking to you about the movement to STOP the cuts to your pension. And I want to say right up front, we are making good progress on this goal. But I first want to ask you a few questions: […]
Iowa’s Treasurer Proposes State-Run Retirement Options for Iowans
42 percent of Iowa’s private sector workers do not have an employer-sponsored retirement plan. State Senator Janet Petersen and Iowa’s State Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald are working to change that. They’ve proposed a state-run plan for private employees, something more than 20 states are also considering.
Verizon participants petition SCOTUS on right to sue over de-risking deal
The Supreme Court is being petitioned to review a claim that could clarify when participants in defined benefit pension plans have a right to sue sponsors under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.
Hundreds speak out on proposed Teamster benefit cuts
More than 500 people filled a public hearing Monday to speak out on proposed benefit cuts to one of the largest Teamster pension funds, which includes 30,000 members in Michigan.
Retired Teamsters fight to stop pension cuts
Retired pensioners called a plan to rescue the Central States plan as “Pension Theft.” The retirees said they don’t know what they’ll do if pensions are cut by up to 60%.
Statement of Karen Friedman at U.S. Treasury Department public session in Detroit, Michigan (February 8, 2016)
Thank you, Mr. Feinberg, for allowing me to speak here today. I am Karen Friedman, the Executive Vice President and Policy Director of the Pension Rights Center, a national consumer rights organization that works to protect and promote the retirement security of American workers, retirees and their families. I flew here from Washington today to […]
Teamsters pension crisis driving deep cuts for retirees
A plan to slash pensions for retired Teamsters has activists warning a dangerous precedent could be set for other plans. Angry Teamsters are expected in Detroit to protest cuts of 50% or higher.
Teamsters Local Pension Seeks Benefit Cuts, Third Multiemployer Plan to Request Approval
A New Jersey-based Teamsters local pension fund has become the third multiemployer pension plan known to apply for Treasury Department approval of benefit suspensions.
State-run retirement plans could offer a fix for future
At least half of the states have been working on some sort of plan, as tracked by the Pension Rights Center, an advocacy organization for workers based in Washington. Generally, workers’ contributions get deducted from their paychecks, like in a 401(k) plan, only the money goes into a government-sponsored plan.
Iron Workers Fund Looks to Cut Benefits,Is Second Plan to Seek Treasury’s Approval
An Iron Workers local pension fund has become the second multiemployer plan to apply for benefit suspension approval from the Treasury Department.
De-Risking and Rescue Plan Petitions Expected to Rise
The de-risking of single-employer defined benefit pension plans and the suspension of benefits by multiemployer plans are poised to be two of the primary issues facing pension plan sponsors and participants in 2016.
Pension cuts ‘crippling’ for retired Creve Coeur trucker and his family
When Joe Frakes stepped down from the cab of his truck for the last time, he thought he was set for life. After three decades on the road, he’d accrued a solid Teamster pension. But 13 years after retiring, the 75-year-old now fears a nosedive in his monthly check from $2,500 to less than $1,500.
