How can the retirement system help more people afford retirement?
You don’t have to be a mechanic to drive a car, and you shouldn’t have to be a financial expert to prepare for a secure and adequate retirement.
In a nutshell, that’s the theme of a new book we edited and contributed to, Wealth after work: Innovative reforms to enhance retirement security.
We propose a variety of ways to make the current retirement system work better for the majority of American workers. A better-working retirement system should provide broader and more equitable access to and participation in tax-preferred retirement programs. It would help people understand and make better decisions about their benefits and the intricacies of withdrawing funds or arranging for retirement income in an optimal manner.
Achieving these goals has become especially challenging in a world where traditional pensions are being replaced by “do-it-yourself” retirement saving arrangements, such as 401(k)s and individual retirement accounts (IRAs), that largely shift financial risks from employers to individuals.
Although the retirement system works well for many, tens of millions of workers lack adequate retirement savings—if they have any. Those who are saving may find it difficult to obtain unbiased financial information, especially useful guidance on how best to draw down their savings in retirement.
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