Data and Research March 17, 2017

Eighty Percent of American Workers Back State-Run Retirement Plans

“Our survey shows that Congress’ actions to limit state flexibility to address retirement insecurity are seriously out of touch with the will of voters,” says AARP Executive Vice President Nancy LeaMond.
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An AARP survey shows that the vast majority (84%) of American private-sector workers “strongly or somewhat agree” that officials should back legislation to enable workers “to save their own money for retirement.”

The survey of nearly 4,000 workers ages 18 to 64 included a significant oversampling of African Americans, Latinos/as and Asian Americans. The survey finds strong backing across all races, ethnicities and political ideologies for elected officials to clear the way for employee savings initiatives. The total agreeing that lawmakers should support positive legislative action includes 89% of Asian Americans, 86% of whites, 83% of African Americans and 78% of Latinos/as.

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The study, conducted between last November and mid-January, comes against a background of increasing interest in the states in the state-based plans for private employers who do not currently provide workplace retirement plans, AARP notes.  Thus far, seven states—Illinois, Washington State, Oregon, New Jersey, Connecticut, Maryland and California—have approved various versions of what AARP calls “Work and Save” programs.

But the research also comes against a backdrop of controversial Congressional deliberations over the future of state-based plans. The Senate is currently considering legislation that could have a negative impact on the state initiatives. The U.S. House of Representatives has passed resolutions ordering a halt of Department of Labor (DOL) rules about state-run plans.

“Our survey shows that Congress’ actions to limit state flexibility to address retirement insecurity are seriously out of touch with the will of voters, who resoundingly, across party-lines, approve of these state retirement initiatives,” says AARP Executive Vice President Nancy LeaMond.

NEXT: Three-quarters of private-sector workers feel anxious about retirement.

The study found the overwhelming backing (80%) of the state-based programs was reflected in racial and ethnic breakdowns, which showed  that 76% of Latinos/as workers, 81% of African Americans, 84% of Asian Americans, and 80% of whites said they “strongly or somewhat support” the initiatives. For each group, 7% or less said they “somewhat or strongly oppose” the initiatives. Those remaining said they “neither support nor oppose” the programs.

Three in four private-sector workers (74%) say they feel “very or somewhat” anxious about having enough money to live comfortably through their retirement years. Just one-quarter said they are not anxious. Anxiety is high among all racial and ethnic groups, with large majorities of Latinos/as (76%), whites (74%), African Americans (73%) and Asian Americans (70%) all saying that they are anxious they will not be able to financially support a comfortable retirement.

Nearly half of those surveyed, facing financial uncertainty, said they are struggling to get by. Overall, 14% said they are having a difficult time, and another 30% said they are just getting by. On the other hand, 16% said they are living comfortably, and 39% said they are doing ok. Differences emerged among the different groups on this issue: for example, 57% of Latinos/as reported that they are just getting by or having difficulty getting by, compared with 52% of African Americans, 39% of whites and 35% of Asian Americans.

The survey was conducted for AARP by NORC at the University of Chicago between November 1, 2016, and January 16, 2017. It involved a large pool of 3,920 private-sector workers, including robust samples of 1,077 African Americans, 802 Latinos/as, and 607 Asian Americans.

Break from the Grind March 16, 2017

A Little Friday File Fun

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In Breckenridge, Colorado, a woman was snowboarding when she was approached by something unexpected. She saw a moose within feet of her and screamed as the moose suddenly ran by her. According to the Associated Press, resort officials say no one was hurt, and the encounter is a good reminder that skiers and snowboarders share the mountain with wildlife.

In Allentown, Pennsylvania, a woman was resigned to being a plump old lady. Over 15 years she kept getting bigger despite dieting. But with her health deteriorating, her son persuaded her to go to the hospital. According to the Associated Press, what doctors found astounded them—a cyst in one of her ovaries had grown into a 140-pound tumor. Doctors at Lehigh Valley Health Network removed the cancerous, Stage 1 mass in a five-hour operation.

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In Avon Lake, Ohio, librarians at the public library are confused about the odd items found around the building. Since January, employees have found 30 10-ounce containers of A.1. steak sauce hidden on shelves, among newspapers and magazines. All were clean with “just a hint of the sauce odor inside,” the library revealed in a Facebook post. Jill Ralston, the library’s public relations coordinator, doubts any bad-natured intent on the part of the anonymous prankster, the Huffington Post reports.

In Trenton, New Jersey, a federal judge has dismissed an unusual discrimination lawsuit. A woman said her husband, struggled with extreme gas and uncomfortable diar.rhea due to gastric bypass surgery. Her suit claimed the company’s president complained about the side effects and told her husband to work from home due to the smell of his gas. She also worked at the firm. According to the Associated Press, the wife’s initial claim was dismissed last summer. Her amended lawsuit said managers made “insulting and humiliating” comments that caused her mental and physical anguish. But, the court found she failed to prove the managers created an abusive work environment.

Tiny dog struggles after picking out the biggest toy in the store.

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Who needs skis? Not this rescue dog.

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I bet the family conversation turned ugly after a man’s interview was interrupted by his toddlers.

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