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:

Sep 15, 2023 | News Story

At 11:59 last night, contracts for 150,000 UAW autoworkers at Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis expired.

Sep 15, 2023 | News Story

During the busy Saturday afternoon shopping rush, members of REI Union SoHo stopped work and walked off the job to protest REI’s decision to cut the wages of many members of the bargaining unit. ULP charges were filed regarding the wage cuts.

Sep 15, 2023 | News Story

Hundreds of union members from Long Island to Buffalo to Trenton answered the call on Thursday, as the NYS and NJ AFL-CIOs held a Union Strong Day of action in support of striking Writers Guild of America East and SAG-AFTRA members.

Sep 7, 2023 | News Story

By Vincent Alvarez, President, New York City Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO

Sep 1, 2023 | News Story

As this "summer of strikes" gives way to autumn, we’re all by now familiar with the existential fight that our City’s striking writers and actors are facing.

Sep 1, 2023 | News Story

Last Friday, the National Labor Relations Board

Sep 1, 2023 | News Story

The AFL-CIO this week released new polling that reveals the American people’s support of unions — especially that of young workers — and their view of unions as critical to growing the middle class and providing opportunities for working people to thrive.

Sep 1, 2023 | News Story

On Wednesday, members of the Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) and supporters made it clear to American Airlines management that they are fired up, unified, and standing together for a contract with significant improvements to compensation, retirement, scheduling flexibility, a

Sep 1, 2023 | News Story

Visual Effects (VFX) crews at Walt Disney Pictures have filed with for an election to unionize with the backing of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) This marks only the second time in history VFX professionals have joined together to demand the same rights and prote

Sep 1, 2023 | News Story

IBEW Local 3 Business Manager Christopher Erikson recently penned an OpEd in amNY on how LinkNYC — the public-private partnership that deploys, operates, and maintains modern telecommunications infrastructure across the city — is providing union job opportunities for New Yorkers who have the driv