AARP Lauds Governor for Plan to Help Millions of Middle Class NYers Save for Retirement at Work

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Voluntary Workplace Retirement Savings Option Could Help Millions, Especially Communities of Color; AARP Urges Lawmakers to Include in Final Budget

ALBANY, N.Y. – AARP New York State Director Beth Finkel issued the following statement today in reaction to Governor Andrew Cuomo’s 2018-19 State Budget Proposal:

“Millions of middle class, working New Yorkers will have an effective way to save for retirement at work thanks to Governor Cuomo’s state budget proposal to create a savings option for private sector employees whose employer doesn’t offer one (see pages 170-185).

More than 3.5 million private sector employees in New York work for a company that offers no pension, no 401(k), no retirement savings option – in short, no way for them to build their own financial security. That’s over half the workforce – including 67% of Hispanics, 60% of Asian Americans and 52% of African Americans.

The Governor’s proposal is voluntary for businesses and employees.

AARP applauds the Governor for his leadership in taking decisive action to address New Yorkers’ lack of retirement savings, which he has declared is part of a growing national crisis.

We hope many businesses choose to offer this great benefit to their workers to give them the chance to build their own financial security. We expect many companies will; three quarters of small businesses that don’t offer their own plan say they probably would if the state sets one up.

We urge the Legislature to make sure this common sense proposal remains in the final budget.”

Contact: Erik Kriss, ekriss@aarp.org

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AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of nearly 38 million that helps people turn their goals and dreams into 'Real Possibilities' by changing the way America defines aging. With staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, AARP works to strengthen communities and promote the issues that matter most to families such as healthcare security, financial security and personal fulfillment. AARP also advocates for individuals in the marketplace by selecting products and services of high quality and value to carry the AARP name.  As a trusted source for news and information, AARP produces the world’s largest circulation magazine, AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to political campaigns or candidates. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org or follow @AARP and our CEO @JoAnn_Jenkins on Twitter.

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