A Song for Retirement Savings

TIAA has collaborated with hip-hop icon Wyclef Jean, a founding member of the Fugees, for a new song named “Paper Right,” intended to bring awareness and funding to the retirement savings gap.

The song features other artists—Pusha T, Lola Brooke, Capella Grey and Flau’jae—and aims to inspire younger generations to think about their financial legacy, as well as the importance of retirement planning. All sales of the song will go to First Generation Investors, a nonprofit committed to providing investing literacy to underserved high school students.

“Paper Right is about building a financial legacy for future generations and the reward and gratification this brings. The most important thing I hope people take away from the song and my partnership with TIAA is that saving earlier can set you and your family up for long-term success,” Jean said in a statement. “As a father, when I look at my financial legacy and impact, I want to make sure my daughter is taken care of and has the tools needed to understand why saving early and preparing for the future is crucial.”

“Paper Track” is part of TIAA’s #RetireInequality campaign, launched in 2022, to draw attention to retirement and savings gaps experienced by Black Americans. According to the Center for Retirement Research, 54% of Black Americans do not have enough money saved to maintain their standard of living in retirement, which adds to America’s larger retirement savings gap. It, in turn, is the driving force behind federal and state policy efforts and a focus area for advocacy groups such as the AARP. 

Thasunda Brown Duckett, the president and CEO of TIAA, wrote in a LinkedIn post about the campaign that, the song is “meant to inspire all generations to consider their legacy and ability to retire.”

“Starting to plan for retirement early in our careers is key to closing America’s very real retirement savings gaps, ” Duckett wrote.

Proceeds of every sale of the track on streaming services will be automatically donated to FGI, which was chosen for its contributions to the advancement of financial education for the younger generation, according to TIAA’s announcement.

“First Generation Investors is an organization dedicated to providing underserved high school students with the financial knowledge and tools needed to take control of their financial futures,” Stephanie Pressley, executive director of FGI, said in a statement. “We are thrilled to partner with TIAA to retire inequality, as these efforts closely align with our mission.”

“Paper Right” is available on all streaming services, including Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon Music.

TIAA also announced the start of #StreamToStack, an Instagram advertisement in which, if a user points a camera phone at a dollar bill, an animation showing single bills building into a stack of money will be shown before a link to stream the song.

“While retirement may feel far away for younger Americans, the reality is that having these conversations now can help them achieve a financially secure future,” Zara Mirza, TIAA’s chief brand officer, said in a statement. “The goal is for ‘Paper Right’ to have real impact and spark thought among those starting in their careers to consider their financial future and retirement.”