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:

Mar 15, 2019 | News Story

In a first for the podcasting industry, the 83-person staff of Gimlet Media, a podcasting startup acquired by music streaming service Spotify for $230 million in February, is unionizing with the Writers Guild of America, East (WGAE).

Mar 15, 2019 | News Story

Ashraf Azim opens up to fellow drivers about what goes through his mind when a passenger who looks menacing gets into his car. He says he thinks of his family.

Feb 14, 2019 | Press Release

New York, NY - It’s unfortunate that Amazon has chosen to walk away from LIC HQ2, prematurely ending discussions that could have resulted in a mutually beneficial economic development model that respects all workers.

Jan 30, 2019 | Press Release

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Jan 18, 2019 | News Story

Slate’s 51-member editorial and podcast staff this week ratified its first collective bargaining agreement with the Writers Guild of America, East.

Jan 18, 2019 | News Story

UFCW Local 1500 members have produced a new video welcoming brothers and sisters from King Kullen stores (recently acquired by Stop & Shop) into the Local 1500 union family, and making sure they know that are are not alone in this new chapter in their work lives.

Jan 11, 2019 | News Story

Unions representing thousands of federal workers came together in DC yesterday to rally and march in protest of the continuing shutdown and resulting furloughs that are financially hurting 800,000 employees and families. The rally began at AFL-CIO headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Jan 11, 2019 | News Story

After nearly two years of unsuccessful attempts to negotiate a new contract to replace the Lab Agreement with the Broadway League, members of Actors’ Equity Association have declared a strike calling for a halt to all new show development work with members of the Broadway League.    

Jan 11, 2019 | News Story

Hundreds of union construction workers from across New York took to the State Capitol in Albany this week to demand that elected officials pass a public works bill which would also designate all work at Hudson Yards as prevailing wage.