WASHINGTON, D.C.—As Americans live longer, they are growing increasingly concerned that they may not have sufficient savings to maintain their standard of living in retirement. The fact is, more and more retirees are reliant on their own savings and investments to help them enjoy what should be their “golden years,” yet these savings are falling short. To address these concerns, U.S. Senators Bill Nelson (D-FL) and Susan Collins (R-ME), chairman and ranking member of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, today introduced legislation that would encourage small employers to offer retirement plans, encourage employees to save more for retirement, and ensure that low- and middle-income taxpayers are able to claim tax benefits for retirement savings already authorized in law.
“I have heard countless stories of retirees whose savings did not go as far as they anticipated,” said Senator Collins. “Nationally, one in four retired Americans has no source of income beyond Social Security. In Maine, the number is one in three. Four in ten rely on that vital program for 90-percent of their retirement income. Yet, Social Security provides an average benefit of just $1,294 per month – less than $16,000 per year. It’s hard to imagine stretching those dollars far enough to pay the bills and, certainly, a “comfortable retirement” is out of the question.”
“Too many people are retiring with too little,” said Senator Nelson. “This common-sense and bipartisan legislation will increase access to retirement plans and make it easier for folks to put more money aside.”
The Retirement Security Act of 2014 would make it easier for smaller businesses to provide access to retirement plans for their workers which would help make a significant difference in the financial security of many Americans. The legislation focuses on reducing the cost and complexity of retirement plans, especially for small businesses, and on encouraging individuals to save more for retirement.
Specifically, the Retirement Security Act of 2014 would:
Last year, Senators Nelson and Collins held a hearing to examine retirement security. Witnesses described their fear that they will outlive their savings. According to the non-partisan Center for Retirement Research at Boston College, there is an estimated $6.6 trillion gap between the savings American households need to maintain their standard of living and what they actually have. The legislation, introduced by Senators Nelson and Collins, would make it easier for small businesses to provide access to retirement plans for their workers and would make a significant difference in the financial security of many Americans.
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Below is a clip of Chairman Nelson and Ranking Member Collins introducing the Retirement Security Act of 2014 on the floor of the U.S. Senate...