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:

Nov 11, 2022 | News Story

"This is my dream job. But I will not risk getting infected with bed bugs or sick due to mold." said Kent, a baker at the NYC Roastery at a rally held by Roastery workers and their supporters at the location at 61 Ninth Avenue in Manhattan on Thursday.

Nov 11, 2022 | News Story

NewsGuild of New York members at Thomson Reuters have announced that a supermajority of union members voted in favor of authorizing their bargaining committee to call a strike if their employer continues bargaining in bad faith.

Nov 11, 2022 | News Story

Over 200 union journalists across 14 Gannett owned-newsrooms from New York and New Jersey to Arizona and Southern California collectively walked off the job for a one-day strike last Friday.

Nov 9, 2022 | Press Release

Yesterday, working New Yorkers made their voices heard, voting in support of candidates who will stand up for working families and engaging voters one on one through our NYC Labor Votes! Campaign and the efforts of our affiliate unions.

Nov 4, 2022 | News Story

Resident physicians at Montefiore Medical Center, one of the largest teaching hospitals in New York City, announced their intention to form a union with the Committee of Interns and Residents (CIR/SEIU) on Tuesday.

Nov 4, 2022 | News Story

Workers at a Starbucks-Amazon Go convenience store near Times Square filed a petition for a union election Friday—and one worker told THE CITY that supporters are already feeling the heat from management, receiving threats of write-ups and citations for coming to work in pro-union T-shirts.

Nov 4, 2022 | News Story

In another step towards parity for Staten Island Ferry marine engineers, the City Comptroller’s office has determined that the engineers should be paid wages comparable to other mariners in the New York City area.

Nov 4, 2022 | News Story

The NYC Roastery has been on strike since Tuesday of last week over an urgent health and safety issue.

Nov 4, 2022 | News Story

Workers at the Daily Press—a cafe and bar on Somers Street and Rockaway Avenue—announced Wednesday their intention to file for union recognition with Workers United NY/NJ. The move comes after Daily Press' owner in October announced "drastic and sudden" cuts to their hours.