AARP Illinois urges senators to approve expanding the state's Secure Choice program

This week [the week of April 19th], senators are scheduled to vote on expanding the “Illinois ‘Secure Choice’ Savings-Program”. And, if they vote “yes”, about a million more Illinoisans would be able to save for retirement, at work. That’s according to Al Hollenbeck—an advocacy-volunteer with “A-A-R-P Illinois”… “Over half of Illinois-workers currently don’t have access to an employment-based savings-program, at their job. The good news, though, is that—after slightly more than a year in operation—the state’s ‘Secure Choice’-program has well over 80-thousand participants—who together have saved roughly 50-million dollars, for their retirement. And, more than six-thousand employers, throughout Illinois, are already registered for this program.” Josh Harris—an associate state-director with the group—adds… “Older adults in Illinois spend, on average, 25-thousand dollars on food, utilities, and healthcare, each year. Yet, the average annual ‘Social Security’-benefit in the state is just 19-thousand dollars. The inability for many older Illinoisans to pay for basic needs will cost taxpayers, down the road, when it comes to social services.” An identical bill passed the House this past week. “A-A-R-P Illinois” urges residents to call their senators—at 1-844-226-1189—and ask them to support expanding “Secure Choice”.