PFRDA

If Social Security is enough, then why Create an Automatic Workplace Pension?

Why not simply fix/ restructure the current Social Security System instead of creating more bureaucracy, more laws, more "social" programs", and more government spending? The Social Security system was teh brainchild of the Democrats. If it isn't working, why can't they just fix it or admit the idea wasn't complete/is failing? Why does Barry feel the need to impose even more government policy upon employers? Why does he insist on a Paternalistic government that forces his own views of "what's best for the people" [i.e. forcing Employees to be in a savings plan] ?? From Body Odor's policy plan: " Create Automatic Workplace Pensions: Currently, 75 million working Americans – roughly half the workforce – lack employer-based retirement plans. Even when workers are given the option of joining employer-based plans, many do not take up the option because it requires considerable work to research plans and investment portfolios, and enroll in the plan. Barack Obama’s retirement security plan will automatically enroll workers in a workplace pension plan. Under his plan, employers who do not currently offer a retirement plan, will be required to enroll their employees in a direct-deposit IRA account that is compatible to existing direct-deposit payroll systems. Employees may opt-out by signing a written waiver. Even after enrollment, employees will retain the right to change their savings levels, reallocate investment portfolios or end contributions to the account. Obama’s plan will give options to the self-employed and new small businesses to access new easy-to-enroll savings plans and direct the IRS to deposit tax refunds into those savings plans for people who choose to save some of their refunds. Under the Obama plan when employees change jobs, their savings will be automatically rolled over into the new employer’s system to ensure continued savings. Experts estimate that this program will increase the savings participation rate for low and middle-income workers from its current 15 percent level to around 80 percent. http://www.barackobama.com/issues/economy/EconomicPolicyFullPlan.pdf

Public Comments

1. I'll answer some of the many points you have here: 1) The reason for the failure of SS can be laid solely at the feet of Reagan, Bush and Clinton, who gutted the SS trust over the terms of their presidencies. The biggest failing (of many) of the George W. Bush presidency has been his inability to fix this problem, but the blame for the failure is bipartisan, I assure you. 2) Obama's employer pension plan is a horrible plan. The idea that it is "too difficult" to research investment plans is absurd - we're talking about people's retirement here. They should step up to the plate and take care of it. Rather, he should support more stock investment plans. Moreover, the "experts" opinion that the rate of people saving in plans will rise from 15% to 80% is a smokescreen - when one is forced to save in a certain plan, of COURSE the number of people saving will increase. (Incidentally, I am a card-carrying Democrat, but the ideas regarding retirement being thrown around by my party are a bit unnerving. Still, it's better than the GOP's idea that "If we don't worry about it, it will go away!")