Pension Rights Center: Pension Action

Pension Action E-Newsletter

January 13, 2009

Pension Rights Center Releases Consumer Agenda for Retirement Security
The Center’s Consumer Agenda for Retirement Security is a series of proposals aimed at improving retirement security for American workers, retirees and their families. The proposals are divided into five categories, each focused on strengthening a specific aspect of retirement income. The agenda includes proposals to:

In the next few issues of Pension Action, we will highlight each of categories of the Consumer Agenda and explain how these proposals will help make retirement more secure for millions of Americans. In the meantime, take a look at the Center’s Consumer Agenda for Retirement Security and let us know what you think. Is something missing? Send us an e-mail to let us know what you think we should add.

Ex-Spouse of Railroad Retiree to Receive Long-Awaited Benefits
The recently-passed Worker, Retiree and Employer Recovery Act of 2008 contains a little-known provision ensuring that Rose Colon and others will finally benefit from a reform that she helped bring about. For many years Rose had worked to convince Congress to give former spouses of deceased railroad employees the same protections as those in other federally-regulated retirement systems. She finally succeeded with the passage of the Pension Protection Act of 2006, but by then her ex-husband had died and the law only applied to those whose former spouses passed away after the PPA became law. The new law ensures that Rose will finally be able to receive her survivor annuity. To learn more about Rose and how she got her pension, read our blog entry, Getting back on track.

Economic Crisis Hitting 401(k) Plans
If you’ve been reading our blog lately, you probably know that the recession has affected the retirement savings of countless workers and retirees. Not only has the stock market’s decline wreaked havoc on retirement savings, but now more and more employers are eliminating a major benefit: the 401(k) match. To see which companies have temporarily suspended their 401(k) match, take a look at our new chart. To learn why the 401(k) match is such an important part of 401(k) plans, read our blog entry, The Match Game.

Key Pension Committees in Congress
Ever wonder which Congressional committees are responsible for pension legislation? Click the links below to learn about the key committees in Congress and their role in shaping the nation’s pension laws:

Are any of your legislators on these committees? Don’t forget to use our web site to let your lawmakers know that your pension is important to you.