Welcome to the latest edition of This Week in Pensions! As we do each week, we have gathered the best stories about pensions and retirement security. This is the news you need to know in the fight for a secure retirement.

Here are this week’s top stories:

• Don’t make policy based on shorter-term volatility by Hank Kim: NCPERS executive director Hank Kim warns about fear-mongering by those who claim the sky is falling because of low investment returns. Their proposed “solution” of converting to 401(k)-style defined contribution plans would weaken retirement security for public employees and do nothing to address the unfunded liability of public pension funds. As he says: “Their short-sighted perspective is based on a political agenda of eliminating public pensions, not on financial reality.”
• Some workers left out from retirement savings plans by John Schoen: a new report examines the disparities in retirement savings across the United States. The report confirms previous findings that wealthier and more well-educated workers are likelier to both have access to a workplace retirement plan and to participate in that plan. Fewer than a third of low-income workers have access to a retirement plan through their employer.

Finally, NPPC released a new report this week! Public Pensions Work – And These Three System Prove It examines three of the more successful public pension systems in the country to find the keys to their success. It turns out that their success is no secret: fully funding the pension system every year is the most important thing state and local governments can do to have a successful public pension system. You can download a copy of the report here: Public Pensions Work – And These Three Systems Prove It

Be sure to check back next week for the latest news in the fight for a secure retirement!