Overview

The National Institute on Retirement Security is a not-for-profit organization established to contribute to informed policymaking by fostering a deep understanding of the value of retirement security to employees, employers, and the economy. NIRS fulfills this mission by conducting national research and education programs. Located in Washington, D.C., the organization has a diverse membership of organizations interested in retirement security issues such as employee benefit plans, state or local agencies that manage retirement plans, trade associations, financial services firms, and other retirement service providers.  

Vision

NIRS seeks to encourage the development of public policies that enhance retirement security in America. Our vision is one of a retirement system that simultaneously meets the needs of employers, employees, and the public interest. That is, one where:

• employers can offer affordable, high quality retirement benefits that help them achieve their human resources goals;
• employees can count on a secure source of retirement income that enables them to maintain a decent living standard after a lifetime of work;
• the public interest is well-served by retirement systems that are managed in ways that promote fiscal responsibility, economic growth, and responsible stewardship of retirement assets.

Approach

High-quality research that informs the public debate on retirement policy. Our research program focuses on the role and value of defined benefit pension plans for employers, employees, and the public at large. We also conduct research on policy approaches and other innovative strategies to expand broad based retirement security.

Education programs that disseminate our research findings broadly. We share our research findings with the public, policy makers, and the media by distributing reports, conducting briefings, and participating in conferences and other public forums.

Outreach to partners and key stakeholders. By building partnerships with other experts in the field of retirement research and with stakeholders that support retirement security, we leverage the impact of our research and education efforts. Our outreach activities also improve the capacity of government agencies, non-profits, the private sector, and others working to promote and expand retirement security.

Leadership

In November 2007, Beth Almeida was named the first executive director of NIRS. With the Board of Directors, Almeida leads the organization’s strategic planning, research and education initiatives.  During NIRS first full year of operation, she directed the successful completion of six research products that are enhancing the American debate on retirement security challenges.  She has testified before policymakers and spoken at numerous conferences from coast-to-coast regarding NIRS research and retirement security issues, and is regularly cited in national, local, trade and international news reports.

Previously, she served as assistant director of strategic resources and as senior economist with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers where she was instrumental in transitioning some 40,000 airline employees out of terminating or freezing pensions into the IAM’s multi-employer defined benefit pension plan. Additionally, she has led research initiatives with the Center for European Integration Studies, the European Institute for Business Administration, and the Center for Industrial Competitiveness. She holds a bachelor’s degree in international business from Lehigh University and a master’s degree in economics from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

NIRS Board of Directors and Officers

Laurie Fiori Hacking
NIRS Chair
Executive Director, Minnesota Teachers Retirement Association

Ann Yerger
NIRS Secretary/Treasurer
Executive Director, Council of Institutional Investors

Glenda Chambers
Executive Director, National Association of State Retirement Administrators

Jack Ehnes
Chief Executive Officer, California State Teachers’ Retirement System

Gary Harbin, President, National Council on Teacher Retirement &
Executive Secretary, Kentucky Teacher's Retirement System

Jim Mosman
Executive Director, National Council in Teacher Retirement

Michael Williamson
President, National Association of State Retirement Administrators &
Director, North Carolina Retirement Systems