Inaction on retirement policy is no longer an option.  That was the cross-cutting message delivered by thought leaders at the NIRS policy conference, "Raising the Bar:  Policy Solutions for Improving Retirement Security" in Washington, D.C. earlier this year.

Employees of state & local government earn an average of 11% and 12% less, respectively, than comparable private sector employees.  An analysis spanning two decades shows the pay gap between public and private sector employees has widened in recent years. 

Defined benefit pension income plays a critical role in reducing the risk of poverty and hardship for older Americans.  Poverty rates among older households lacking pension income are about six times greater than those with such income. 

A new national economic impact study finds that the benefits provided by state and local government pension plans have a significant economic footprint:  2.5 million American jobs and $358 billion in economic impact.

New research finds retirement insecurity across the nation. Americans say access to pensions would reduce anxiety and express strong support for government action to ease the way for employers to offer pensions.