Social Security and Retirement

Retirement means different things to different people, whether it is more time to spend with family, a chance to travel or an opportunity to finally take a rest. With all these differences, what unifies us is a hope for a decent retirement. This means having a steady, reliable monthly income when you no longer work.

Social Security, pensions and personal savings are the three major pieces of financial security during retirement.

Social Security is an earned government benefit for seniors, people with disabilities and children who have lost a working parent. Working people contribute to Social Security with every paycheck.

A pension is income you set aside while you’re working so you will be able to get a monthly paycheck when you retire.

As many as half of all workers are in jeopardy of retiring in poverty. Big corporations have slashed pensions and other retirement benefits just to pad their own bottom lines. Most low-wage workers have no retirement at all, relying solely on Social Security. Unions fight tooth and nail to protect pensions, Social Security and Medicare so older Americans can rely on these lifesaving programs and retire with dignity. 

22.5M

The number of Americans lifted from poverty because of Social Security benefits.
Did You Know

About one in six people in the United States collect Social Security benefits each month.
58

The number of Americans, in millions, who have health and financial security under Medicare.
Did You Know

In addition to helping older Americans, Social Security lifts nearly 1 million children above the poverty line.

What We’re Doing

Legislative Alert

Letter Expressing Concerns About Nomination of Andrew Biggs to the Social Security Advisory Board

AFL-CIO has concerns about the nomination of Andrew Biggs to the Social Security Advisory Board.
Executive Council Statement

Pension Plans Need the Freedom to Consider Environmental, Social and Governance Risks and Responsible Workforce Management Principles

The AFL-CIO Executive Council believes workers’ pension plan assets can and should be invested in ways that create broad-based prosperity and a sustainable future.
Blog

Candidates on Retirement Security: Ron Johnson of Wisconsin

One of the most important issues for working people in the 2022 midterm elections is retirement security. Candidates across the country are focused on undercutting retirement security, but working people reject these cynical moves and will support candidates who promise to protect Social Security and related programs. Today, we are spotlighting a 2022 candidate on retirement security: Ron Johnson of Wisconsin.
Blog

Candidates on Retirement Security: Marco Rubio of Florida

One of the most important issues for working people in the 2022 midterm elections is retirement security. Candidates across the country are focused on undercutting retirement security, but working people reject these cynical moves and will support candidates who promise to protect Social Security and related programs. Today, we are spotlighting a 2022 candidate on retirement security: Marco Rubio of Florida.
Blog

Do Your Politicians Care About Your Retirement?

Imagine working hard every day at your job, contributing to your community and growing the economy for 40 years…50 years…. Then after a lifetime of giving your time and energy, all you want is to retire with dignity. But your employer and your government say: Thanks for everything, but you can’t afford retirement. Get back to work.

That’s the reality for millions of Americans.
Blog

Candidates on Retirement Security: Don Bolduc of New Hampshire

One of the most important issues for working people in the 2022 midterm elections is retirement security. Candidates across the country are focused on undercutting retirement security, but working people reject these cynical moves and will support candidates who promise to protect Social Security and related programs. Today, we are spotlighting a 2022 candidate on retirement security: Don Bolduc of New Hampshire.