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About Us

Reliable Research. Sensible Solutions

Public Employees & Worker Retention

The National Institute on Retirement Security is a nonprofit that 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.

Our Vision

Through our activities, 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.

Our Approach

We deliver:

  • High-quality research that informs the public debate on retirement policy. The 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. NIRS disseminates its research findings to 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.

Founded in 2007 and located in Washington, D.C., the organization is nonpartisan with 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.

Research from the National Institute on Retirement Security shines a light on the retirement challenges facing millions of Americans. Without their rigorous studies, the retirement conversation would be missing a trusted voice.
A photo of NIRS board member Dean Kenderdine.

Dean Kenderdine

Executive Director

National Council in Teacher Retirement

Latest Research

Quantifying the Economic Impact of Social Security Benefit Spending
A Social Security card in between cash bills.
  • Fact Sheets
  • Social Security
  • Quantifying the Economic Impact of Social Security Benefit Spending

    New research from the National Institute on Retirement Security finds that Social Security benefits play a powerful role in supporting the U.S. economy, generating $2.6 trillion in total economic output and supporting more than 12 million American jobs in 2023.

    Oct 30, 2025

    Debunking the Job-Hopping Myth: A Data-Driven Look at Tenure and Turnover Among Younger Workers
    Business team at morning briefing in the office
  • Issue Brief
  • Generations
  • Debunking the Job-Hopping Myth: A Data-Driven Look at Tenure and Turnover Among Younger Workers

    Contrary to popular belief that Millennials and Generation Z employees are constantly switching jobs, new research from the National Institute on Retirement Security finds that younger workers today show job retention patterns that closely mirror previous generations at the same stage of their careers.

    Sep 2, 2025