Falling Short: The Coming Retirement Crisis and What to Do About It

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The brief’s key findings are:

  • Today’s workers face a brewing retirement crisis due to:
    • a growing need for income driven by longer lifespans, rising health costs, and low interest rates; and
    • reduced support from Social Security and defined benefit pension plans.
  • Fortunately, the solutions are at hand:
    • Policymakers should shore up Social Security with more revenue, make 401(k)s fully automatic, and ensure everyone has access to a savings plan.
    • Individuals should work longer – to age 70 if possible – and consider tapping their home equity in retirement to support day-to-day needs.
  • Any delay in responding to the challenge will only make adjustments more painful down the road.