November 14, 2012, A new research brief examines the workforce impacts of existing defined benefit (DB) pension plans to assess the likely effects of a switch to defined contribution (DC) individual accounts or cash balance plans.   New Research Examines Human Resource Impacts of Pensions During Economic Downturn, Nearly All State & Local Employers Modified Pensions […]

July 26, 2012, Rates of poverty among older households lacking pension income were approximately nine times greater than the rates among older households with DB pension income in 2010, up from six times greater in 2006 a new study calculates. Pension Income in 2010 Resulted in Public Assistance Savings of $7.9 Billion, 4.7 Million Fewer […]

The Three Rs of Teacher Pension Plans: Recruitment, Retention, and Retirement finds that pensions play a critical role in school effectiveness and save money by reducing teacher turnover costs. PENSIONS IMPROVE QUALITY OF U.S. PUBLIC EDUCATION SYSTEM, REDUCE TURNOVER COSTS Pensions Help Retain 22,000 Teachers, Save $273 Million Nationally Webinar to review the finding scheduled for […]

June 29, 2011, Washington D.C. — A new NIRS research report examines selected statewide public pension plans to identify common elements of plans that remained well funded despite two severe economic downturns. Download report here. Download PowerPoint here. The study identifies six features that enabled those plans examined to remain sustainable and affordable: Employer pension contributions that pay the […]

March 8, 2011, Washington, D.C. —  A new public opinion research report finds that an overwhelming majority of Americans believe the nation’s retirement infrastructure is crumbling and that stock market volatility makes it impossible to predict retirement savings. Download Research here.  Download Press Release in PDF here.  View CNBC coverage of the report here. The research also finds that Americans […]

Leading Culprit is Funding Volatility, Not Pension Costs; Opportunities Exist to Reverse Pension Coverage Decline March 1, 2011 – Private sector companies have trended away from offering pensions because of an onerous regulatory environment. Download Research Brief here. Since the 1970s, laws and regulations have created funding volatility for companies sponsoring pensions, rather than facilitating predictable […]

April 28, 2010, Washington, D.C. – A new study finds public sector employees earn less than comparable private sector employees.  Press/interested parties webinar & conference call at 11 AM ET on Wednesday, April 28, 2010 at 11 AM ET. An analysis spanning two decades shows the pay gap between public and private sector employees has widened in […]

July 30, 2009, Washington, D.C – ‘Pension Factor’ drives $7.3 billion in public assistance savings, 4.7 million fewer households in poverty, near-poverty.  Pensions important for minorities, women.  Press call at 11 AM ET, (888) 428-4474. Defined benefit pension income plays a critical role in reducing the risk of poverty and hardship among older Americans.  According […]

May 7, 2009, Washington, D.C. – Women remain at a higher risk for retirement insecurity as compared to men, according to a new research brief issued today by the National Institute on Retirement Security. That risk can be reduced by ensuring women have the combination of a traditional pension, supplemental 401(k)-type individual savings, and Social […]