Retirement security depends on individuals saving for the future, but millions of Americans lack access to an employer-provided savings plan that might help them do so. Research shows that workers are 15 times more likely to save for retirement if they can set aside money through payroll deductions. But many small businesses cannot offer retirement benefits because of high startup costs and a lack of administrative capacity.
Nationally, 56 million workers—nearly half of the private sector workforce—don’t have retirement benefits at their workplaces, which affects the ability of working families to plan for their financial future. The lack of access to workplace savings also affects taxpayers, as shown in a recent study by The Pew Charitable Trusts that quantified the costs of insufficient retirement savings both nationally and in Arizona. Pew found that insufficient savings results in decreased household spending and increased demand for social assistance programs, placing a greater burden on a shrinking tax base.
But there’s good news: Even small savings now could help offset this projected $4 billion shortfall. If Arizona households saved an average of an additional $1,225 a year—about $100 a month—they could erase the taxpayer burden while ensuring themselves a decent standard of living in retirement.
To spur such savings, lawmakers in 17 states have passed legislation to create automated savings programs designed to make it easier for businesses to help workers save for retirement. In these programs—variously known as “secure choice,” “auto-IRA,” or “work and save”—employees who don’t have access to employer-based retirement benefits are automatically enrolled and begin saving in an individual retirement account (IRA) overseen by a state-approved financial services firm. Workers control their contribution level and can opt out at any time; no one is required to participate. Businesses incur no costs; they simply enroll their workers and process payroll deductions. In addition, businesses can stop participating in the program at any time by adopting an employer-sponsored plan, such as a 401(k).
If Arizona were to enact similar legislation, it would join California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington in expanding retirement security for its residents. Although some of those state programs are relatively new, over 890,000 individuals in eight states have already amassed over $1.5 billion in assets. These workers are saving $168 per month, on average, demonstrating that setting aside even $5 per day can lead to significant sums over time.