Bipartisan, bicameral Retirement Savings for Americans Act would make saving for retirement attainable for American workers
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper and Thom Tillis and Representatives Lloyd Smucker and Terri Sewell introduced the Retirement Savings for Americans Act (RSAA), legislation to help low- and middle-income Americans build wealth and save for retirement. The bill would establish a new program that gives eligible workers access to portable, tax-advantaged retirement savings accounts. If passed, the RSAA would allow the federal government to match contributions for low- and middle-income workers, with the match beginning to phase out at median income.
“Americans who work hard their entire lives deserve to retire with dignity,” said Hickenlooper. “This bill helps low-income workers enjoy a secure retirement and fulfill their American dream.’’
“Roughly 40 million Americans lack access to an employer-sponsored retirement plan, which represents a significant roadblock to achieving financial security for their retirement,” said Tillis. “The Retirement Savings for Americans Act tackles this real problem by establishing a pathway for savings for Americans lacking retirement options.”
“Too many hard-working Americans are not able to prepare financially for retirement. Over half of working employees lack access to the tax-advantaged retirement benefits that many higher-income earners take advantage of to save. Additionally, as the workforce continues to innovate and more Americans become categorized as “gig workers,” the reliance on traditional employer-sponsored plans causes too many workers to slip through the cracks. Hard-working Americans deserve a modern pathway to find financial security in their retirement. I am proud to join in this bipartisan and bicameral effort to advance the Retirement Savings for Americans Act, to help millions of Americans save for their retirements. I will continue to advocate for policies which help hard workers live their American Dream, including a well-earned and financially stable retirement,” said Smucker.
“Every Alabamian and every American should be able to retire with dignity after a lifetime of work,” said Sewell. “Democrats and Republicans alike recognize the urgent need for Congress to address the gaps in our retirement system and make it easier for low- and middle-income workers to save for retirement. I am proud to once again work with my House and Senate colleagues on both sides of the aisle to advance the Retirement Savings for Americans Act which would level the playing field for working families and build a stronger economy for all Americans.”
The RSAA comes during National Retirement Security Week, a week dedicated to raising awareness about the crisis in retirement savings. A study by the National Council on Aging found that 80% of aging Americans are struggling financially or are at risk of financial insecurity, and therefore, not prepared to retire. In a new ranking of the world’s retirement systems, the U.S. scored a C+, mainly because the current system works well for white collar workers but fails gig workers and blue collar workers. If trends continue, inadequate retirement savings will cost state and federal governments a combined $1.3 trillion in increased spending by 2040.
The Retirement Savings for Americans Act contains the following provisions:
- Eligibility and Auto Enrollment: Full- and part-time workers who lack access to an employer-sponsored retirement plan would be eligible for an account, and they would be automatically enrolled at 3% of their income. They could choose to increase or decrease their withholding, or opt out entirely at any time. Independent workers (including gig workers) would also be eligible.
Federal Contribution: Low- and moderate-income workers would be eligible for a 1% automatic contribution (as long as they remain employed) and up to a 4% matching contribution via a refundable federal tax credit. This would begin to phase out at median income. - Portability: Accounts would remain attached to workers throughout their lifetimes, and workers would be able to stop and start contributions at will.
Private Assets: The accounts would be the property of the worker and the assets could be passed down to future generations to help them build wealth and financial security. - Investment Options: Much like the current Thrift Savings Plan, participants would be given a menu of simple, low-fee investment options to choose from, including lifecycle funds tied to a worker’s estimated retirement date, or index funds made of stocks and bonds.
View quotes of support HERE and a one-page explainer of the bill HERE.
Full text of the bill is available HERE.
“With more Americans choosing new ways to work than ever before, we’re proud to support this bipartisan effort to enable more workers in the modern economy to access the kinds of benefits that have long been out of reach for all but full-time employees. This is an important step toward empowering workers like Dashers to choose the independence and flexibility that dashing gives them, while still having access to important benefits,” said Max Rettig, Vice President, Public Policy at DoorDash.
“The Retirement Savings for Americans Act makes meaningful progress toward expanding access for retirement savings across the country–regardless of how someone chooses to work. We applaud Senators Hickenlooper and Tillis and Representatives Sewell and Smucker for working across the aisle to address such an important issue for Dashers and other Americans who are choosing new and different ways to work.” “Uber supports innovative efforts such as the Retirement Savings for Americans Act to enhance independent work across the nation. The legislation represents a unique, forward-looking approach to addressing gaps in the existing retirement savings framework. We applaud the Congressional sponsors and look forward to our continued engagement as this bill moves forward,” said CR Wooters, Head of Federal Affairs at Uber.
“The Retirement Savings for Americans Act would address significant and longstanding gaps in the U.S. retirement system that have severely limited participation from low- and moderate-income workers. If enacted, this legislation would result in a healthier retirement system, a more financially secure workforce, and a stronger economy to the benefit of all Americans. EIG is proud to have worked closely with Senators Hickenlooper and Tillis and Representatives Smucker and Sewell on this important legislation, and we applaud them for their bipartisan leadership on behalf of workers nationwide,” said EIG President and CEO John Lettieri.
“Lawmakers today are searching for bold ideas to support and empower American workers—and especially low-income workers. The Retirement Savings for Americans Act is just such an idea,” said Kevin Hassett, Distinguished Visiting Fellow at the Hoover Institution and former Chairman of the White House Council of Economic Advisers. “This legislation would put millions of American families on the path to financial security and help them build intergenerational wealth.”
“Too many working Americans are struggling to save and invest to secure their standard of living when they choose to retire or are forced to retire,”said Professor Teresa Ghilarducci, a labor economist at the New School and leading expert on retirement security. “The Retirement Savings for Americans Act would equip millions of low- and moderate-income workers to build a nest egg for themselves and for future generations, leading to a stronger economy for all Americans in the process.”
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