AARP Honors Senate President pro Tem Kevin de León for Leadership on Landmark Retirement Savings Legislation

Sacramento, Calif.  – Today, in a ceremony at the State Capitol, AARP California Executive Council Member Rita Saenz presented California State Senate President pro Tem Kevin de León a plaque recognizing him an AARP “Super Saver” for 2016.  The Super Saver award is bestowed upon a select number of elected leaders across the nation – regardless of party affiliation -- who have fought to make it possible for more Americans to save for their future.

Senator de León was honored today for authoring and championing Senate Bill 1234, the Secure Choice Retirement Savings Program Act, which passed with bi-partisan support the legislature and was signed into law by Governor Brown late last year.  Rita was joined by a group of AARP volunteers who worked side-by-side with the Pro Tem and successfully lobbied to get this bill passed in 2016.

"I am honored to receive this award from AARP. I know they share my commitment to making it possible for all Californians to save for their future, and I am confident that the Secure Choice Retirement Savings Program will help move us toward that goal."

7 million California private-sector workers lack access to a way to save for their future. We know that employees are 15 times more likely to save if they have access to a workplace retirement plan. Secure Choice is a voluntary, low-risk, low-cost, portable savings plan, enabling small businesses an easy option for their employees to save automatically.  AARP’s Saenz spoke of Senator de León’s leadership, unwavering advocacy efforts across the country, and praising him for leading the charge he “has been instrumental in helping millions of Californians who are now one step closer to being able to easily save for their future, thanks to Secure Choice”

The program is currently being finalized by the Secure Choice Advisory Board and is expected to launch in 2019.

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AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering Americans 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With nearly 38 million members and offices in every state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, AARP works to strengthen communities and advocate for what matters most to families with a focus on health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also works for individuals in the marketplace by sparking new solutions and allowing carefully chosen, high-quality products and services to carry the AARP name. As a trusted source for news and information, AARP produces the world’s largest circulation publications, AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org or follow @AARP and @AARPadvocates on social media.