Press

Although traditional pension plans and Social Security remain the bedrock of retirement income for many individuals, statistics have shown that it may not be enough to sustain an individual throughout retirement. This is especially true as health care costs continue to go up and the length of time the average individual spends in retirement increases.

The message is clear: each of us needs to save more. And we need you to help spread this critical message. Below you will find press releases, position papers, and other information on National Save for Retirement Week.

Background Information on National Save for Retirement Week

• S.Res.240 - National Save for Retirement Week Resolution
  A copy of the resolution as approved by the U.S. Senate
• H.Res.513 - National Save for Retirement Week Resolution
  A copy of the resolution as approved by the U.S. House of Representatives
• National Save for Retirement Week Brochure
  Provides an overview of National Save for Retirement Week.

National Save for Retirement Multimedia

• Video: The Path to Retirement Security
  Learn about ICMA-RC’s commitment to retirement security for employees of the public sector in this streaming presentation (requires Windows Media Player).
• Audio: Public Service Announcements
  To promote National Save for Retirement Week, ICMA-RC President and CEO Joan McCallen recorded three public service announcements that were distributed in downloadable audio files to 500 radio stations. Streaming audio of the announcements was also distributed to more than 3,600 Web sites.
  • Public Service Announcement 1: It’s never too late to plan for retirement (00:30) [MP3 format] [AIFF format]
  • Public Service Announcement 2: Will you be ready for retirement? (00:30) [MP3 format] [AIFF format]
  • Public Service Announcement 3: Proud supporter of NSFRW (00:15) [MP3 format] [AIFF format]
• Radio: Retirement Planning and Savings Tips
  To promote and educate individuals on saving for retirement, Joan McCallen, President and CEO of ICMA-RC, provides retirement planning and savings tips on WTOP 103.5 FM in the Washington, DC metro area and on KOIT 96.5 FM in the San Francisco Bay metro area in the weeks before, during, and after National Save for Retirement Week. Both WTOP and KOIT are top rated stations in their regions, which house a large number of state and local jurisdictions. These messages provide an additional service to the region’s state and local government employees by raising awareness of the ways they can start or increase their retirement savings. Select from the links below to listen to the radio spots:
  • It’s never too early or too late to begin saving for your retirement
  • If your income is limited, begin your retirement planning with a good budget plan. Pay yourself first to start building your retirement security!
  • Make enrolling in your employer-sponsored retirement savings plan a top priority! With a few simple steps you can maximize your retirements savings
  • Boost your retirement savings... By regularly increasing the percentage you set aside each year, you can supercharge your retirement savings!
  • No matter when you begin investing – at age 20 or 40 or 50 – be sure to keep a long term investment strategy in mind. That’s because the magic of compounding works best when you save consistently!
  • Know when you want to retire? If you do, then target date mutual funds may be the right choice for you.

  National Save for Retirement Week in the Press

  • ICMA-RC Releases Survey That Explores Savings Trends Among Public Sector Employees – Oct. 19, 2006
    • View the survey results
  • Kansas City Star – Sept. 27, 2006
    Emphasizing that National Save for Retirement Week Oct. 22–28 represents a “call for action,” ICMA-RC president and CEO Joan McCallen promotes the week in the Kansas City Star.
  • ICMARC Launches National Save for Retirement Week Website – September 22, 2006
  • ICMA-RC President and CEO to Thank Senators at NAGDCA Conference – September 15, 2006
  • ICMA-RC and NAGDCA Support Senate Resolution – August 10, 2006

  Reaching Prime Audiences

  These one-page educational messages on ways to save for retirement and the benefits that can result, address four specific groups of individuals: women, lower income earners, early career employees, and mid-career workers.

  • Women Building Wealth
    Addresses the special needs of women. Also see
    • Women and Retirement: Facing Unique Challenges
      This ICMA-RC educational white paper outlines the unique challenges women face in building retirement security and the ways new legislation may help them to overcome some of them.
  • Save Early, Finish Strong
    Helps young employees between the ages of 25-35 learn more about saving for retirement.
  • Power Years to Retirement
    Keys in on retirement issues important for mid-career employees between the ages of 45–55 and boomers nearing retirement (55+).
  • Saving Doesn’t Have to Be Difficult
    Focuses on the ways lower wage earners can save for retirement.