National Save for Retirement Week: 2007

December 2006

With a record of scores of activities in cities around the U.S., National Save for Retirement Week has been deemed a success worthy of repetition. Already, ICMA-RC staff is gearing up for 2007. Among the first tasks will be to begin the process of again seeking a Congressional resolution designating a week in October, 2007, as National Save for Retirement Week.

The week, which ICMA-RC helped spearhead, was designed to raise awareness among workers of the importance of saving for retirement through their employer-sponsored plans.

In its inaugural year, National Save for Retirement Week (Oct. 22–28) received a hearty endorsement from Sens. Kent Conrad (D-ND) and Gordon Smith (R-OR), who successfully sponsored the resolution in the Senate. ICMA-RC hosted an issues briefing for the media at the National Press Club to promote the week.

In the days leading up to the week, municipalities hosted job fairs, parades and proclamations in states including New Hampshire, Texas, Iowa, and California. Typically, sponsoring municipalities coupled National Save for Retirement Week activities with existing career and financial planning programs to boost participation in both.

In Bettendorf, IA, for example, the week coincided with the City of Bettendorf’s fall training sessions where employee benefits are discussed. Promotional items provided by ICMA-RC were used in raffles and given away to employees who signed up or increased their contributions.

In Northern California, an evening retirement planning workshop included a presentation by ICMA-RC Retirement Plans Specialist Randi Carmen. Tomball, TX, Director of Human Resources Lisa Coe rearranged the municipal calendar to celebrate National Save for Retirement Week in the spring of 2007.

Stories such as these remind us of the need for more financial planning for workers, and how plan sponsors share our commitment to building retirement security. And it spurs us as we plan for National Save for Retirement Week 2007.