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 22, 2023 | News Story

Independent Brooklyn coffee shop and bar The Daily Press has become the first independent cafe in NYC to win a union contract with Workers United NY/NJ.

Sep 22, 2023 | News Story

Support animation production workers by sending a letter to encourage Disney leadership to do the right thing and recognize the demand of Production Coordinators, Production Managers, and Production Supervisors to join IATSE Local 839, The Animation Guild (TAG).

Sep 27

Join members from the UAW for a Solidarity Picket with Writers Guild of America East and SAG-AFTRA members! The UAW, WGAE, and SAG-AFTRA are coming together in support of striking workers here in NYC and across the country. At Amazon/HBO, 450 West 33rd Street at 10th Avenue.

Sep 8, 2023 | News Story

Staten Island Ferry workers who have gone without a pay raise since 2009 on Monday announced the achievement of a transformative new collective bargaining agreement with the City that guarantees an immediate 28.55% retroactive salary increase for the ferry system’s roughly 120 engineers, captains

Sep 15, 2023 | News Story

On Saturday morning, the rain held off and spirits soared as more than 75,000 workers from across our City and region came together to march in solidarity up Fifth Avenue at the 2023 NYC Labor Day Parade.

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