Labor economist Teresa Ghilarducci discusses the shortcomings in the US retirement system, highlighting the lack of help for millions of workers to save. Wall Street is also concerned, with Larry Fink of BlackRock emphasizing the need to shore up retirement savings.
Inequality in healthy longevity challenges the idea of working longer as a retirement solution.
Shift of retirement planning burden to individuals raises concerns about job availability for older workers.
Deep dives
Challenges of the Retirement Crisis
The retirement crisis, particularly regarding the idea of working longer as a solution, faces criticism from Teresa Gillard-Duche. She argues that the assumption that people can work longer due to increased life expectancy is flawed. The inequality in healthy longevity across different groups makes it impractical for everyone to work longer. Factors such as job nature and healthcare access greatly impact individuals' ability to extend their work life.
Shift in Retirement Burden
The burden of retirement planning has shifted from employers to individuals, especially in jobs like home healthcare and personal care services. Businesses in these sectors benefit from older, cheaper workers. However, the reality is that many individuals cannot decide when to retire, often being forced out due to health or job-related issues. This shift raises concerns about the availability and sustainability of suitable jobs for older employees.
Solving the Retirement Savings Crisis
Addressing the retirement savings crisis requires a systemic approach beyond individual responsibility. The Retirement Savings for Americans Act proposes automatic enrollment in a government-administered pension plan for those lacking retirement accounts. The plan aims to increase financial security by providing matching contributions and fostering a saving mindset. This bipartisan solution emphasizes the importance of early wealth accumulation and sustainable retirement planning for all Americans.
Teresa Ghilarducci knows retirement. A labor economist and professor at the New School for Social Research in New York, she’s long studied the shortcomings of how the US handles preparing for citizens’ old age. Much of the financial industry is devoted to running retirement funds—$25 trillion in traditional pensions, 401(k)-style plans and annuities and $13 trillion in individual retirement accounts. But Ghilarducci says tens of millions of workers aren’t getting the help they need to save. It’s a problem worrying some on Wall Street, too: Larry Fink, chief executive officer of BlackRock Inc., the world’s largest asset manager, devoted his latest annual chairman’s letter to the need to shore up retirement savings.