SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Quienes apoyan un plan de ahorros para el retiro subvencionado por el estado presionan al Senado de los EEUU para que rechace una iniciativa que busca acabar con dichos programas en todo el país. Son los defensores de familias tabajadoras que buscan que siga el programa “Secure Choice” (Elección Segura), pero en el Congreso hay quienes tratan de minar sus esfuerzos.

Se espera que el Senado de los Estados Unidos vote pronto una iniciativa para revocar las reglas del “Labor Department” (Departamento de Trabajo) que establecen que es derecho de los estados operar programas similares de “trabaja y ahorra”, en los que el estado deduce dinero de los cheques de los trabajadores y elige una empresa para invertirlo.

Marisabel Torres, analista “senior” de políticas en el Consejo Nacional de La Raza en California, dice estar desilusionada de que el Congreso de los Estados Unidos ya haya votado para corregir las reglas – las que piensa que podrían ayudar a que los trabajadores de California guardaran algo de dinero para sus años dorados.

“Sin importar dónde trabajen, podrán ahorrar a largo plazo para el retiro. Y esa política podría hacer mucho por ayudar a evitar la crisis del retiro.”

Unos 7 millones de californianos y 55 millones de estadounidenses trabajan para empresas que no ofrecen planes de retiro. Quienes se oponen a los planes administrados por el estado piensan que el gobierno debería mantenerse al margen del sector financiero y señalan que cualquiera puede abrir su propio plan 401-k con una empresa privada de inversión.

Torres agrega que los legisladores que votaron para revocar las reglas del Departamento del Trabajo realmente están favoreciendo a Wall Street por sobre las empresas pequeñas y sus empleados.

“Esto de verdad permitiría ser competitivos a los negocios que tal vez no tienen la mano de obra ni los medios financieros para dar cuentas de retiro a sus trabajadores. Permite que los empleados trabajen en algún lado y no tengan que hacer ese intercambio.”

El programa de California “Secure Choice”, Elección Segura, ha estado trabajándose muchos años y se supone que estará abierto para inscribirse dentro de los dos próximos años.

La iniciativa del congreso está (en inglés) en: congress.gov


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A new national survey says one in five Americans 50 and older has nothing in savings for retirement.

Wisconsin workers young and old are being urged to take action now, to avoid added financial stress in their later years.

The survey results were issued by AARP this month.

Just affording basic expenses right now is a concern for many. But AARP Wisconsin's Communications Director Jim Flaherty said you don't want to be caught off guard when retirement nears.

He acknowledged that it can be hard for younger adults to plan that far ahead, when they're juggling expenses like student loan debt - or for older individuals managing costly medications, and higher grocery bills.

"A lot of times, because they're just trying to get by and they do have to live paycheck-to-paycheck," said Flaherty. "But this is one way to say, 'Hey, if you can live with a little less from your paycheck every week, that will sure grow.'"

Researchers note that 57 million Americans don't have access to a retirement plan through their work.

Wisconsin has not yet joined the list of states that have created state-operated retirement accounts, where employers and their workers can contribute money each pay period.

Supporters hope the issue is revisited next legislative session.

Flaherty said a combination of individuals being proactive and policymakers easing household budget pressure can hopefully put more people on a path toward a healthy retirement.

He said making progress can deter them from looking elsewhere to spend their golden years.

"Let's have an infrastructure that makes drugs affordable, that makes healthcare affordable, that makes retirement savings something that's part of their plan," said Flaherty. "And that'll keep Wisconsinites here."

And groups like AARP have encouraged Congress to address long-term stability concerns for Social Security, so that younger workers can anticipate full benefits.

Some Republican lawmakers have floated cuts, but senior advocates contend any solutions to make the program stronger should not be tied to deficit talks.

Oregon is working to address the state's digital divide with hundreds of millions of dollars in funding.

Infrastructure presents the largest challenges for connecting people in Oregon to high-speed broadband internet.

Nick Batz, director of the Oregon Broadband Office, said there are more than 170,000 residencies in the state with no or slow internet access.

"Our goal through the broadband office and with all our stakeholders throughout Oregon is to provide access to all 112,000 unserved locations and as many of the 60,000 underserved locations as we can," Batz explained.

The state has received federal funding from a variety of sources, including nearly $690 million from the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program, and more than $150 million from the Capital Projects Fund approved in the American Rescue Plan Act from 2021.

Oregon's Digital Equity Plan has also been approved and along with it, nearly $10 million in funding.

Bandana Shrestha, state director of AARP Oregon, said there was a time when high-speed broadband internet was considered a luxury.

"Now, it's such a big necessity for everyone, including for older adults," Shrestha pointed out. "Because we know that if you don't have connectivity, you're not going to be able to see your doctor when you want to. Telemedicine is not going to be possible."

Batz added his office is working to ensure every Oregonian can get on the internet.

"It is an interesting challenge," Batz observed. "Nothing has been done like this in Oregon's history of trying to get internet access to everybody. So, it's going to be quite the challenge and it's absolutely going to require participation from everybody to make this happen."

Nursing homes across South Dakota will soon receive a boost in support, as part of the most recent legislative session.

Facilities caring for Medicaid recipients are reimbursed by the state for some of the cost. Reimbursement rates have been calculated based on patient needs, occupancy and funds available in the state budget. Last year, the South Dakota Legislature increased the rate from about 75% to 100%.

House Bill 1167 now allows the Medicaid reimbursement rate to be adjusted annually, to keep up with inflation and other changes.

Erik Nelson, advocacy director for AARP South Dakota, is glad lawmakers are giving nursing homes attention.

"We have seen a number of nursing homes close in recent years," Nelson pointed out. "Financial considerations were a factor in that, along with workforce and some other issues."

Since 2019, 15 nursing homes have closed across the state, with six of the remaining 98 on a federal list of facilities not meeting basic standards of care. In addition to a lack of funding, the average staff turnover rate is 54%.

State lawmakers also approved the use of $5 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding toward expanding telehealth services in facilities including nursing homes, allowing patients to receive some health care services remotely.

Nelson noted telehealth is one way to supply needed support.

"For not only the residents, but the family caregivers that are supporting their loved ones in the nursing homes," Nelson emphasized. "And of course, the staff of the nursing home that's in the community."

Census data show South Dakota's population is aging and by 2030, one-fifth of residents will be older than 65.