The Defined Benefit

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  • The Hidden Struggle: Challenges Women Face in Saving for Retirement

    Did you know that women, on average, accumulate only 75% of what men save for retirement? That statistic alone tells a story—but it doesn’t tell the whole story. The challenges women face in saving for retirement aren’t the result of…

  • Public Pensions Legislative Update: Debates Intensify at Mid-Session

    Across the country, state legislatures are approaching the midpoint of their sessions, and public pensions are once again at the center of budget debates and workforce policy fights. In several states, including Colorado, Washington, and Oklahoma, lawmakers have proposed redirecting…

  • Women Who Paved the Way in Public Service

    In honor of Women’s History Month, we at NPPC want to spotlight several remarkable women who made significant contributions to the public sector, broke barriers, and inspired future generations. These four trailblazers dedicated their lives to serving others—educating students, improving…

  • A Valentine to Public Employees: With Love and Gratitude

    Valentine’s Day is often framed as a celebration of romantic love—but at its core, it’s about appreciation. It’s about pausing long enough to say thank you to the people who show up, who care deeply, and who make our lives…

  • Why Public Pensions Are a Civil Rights Issue

    Black History Month is a time to reflect not only on the struggle for voting rights, desegregation, and political representation, but also on the enduring fight for economic dignity and security. One often overlooked part of that history—and that struggle—is…

  •  2026: What We’re Watching for in State Legislative Sessions
    Empty Lawmaker Chairs

    As Americans navigate a tumultuous political, economic, and social landscape, NPPC continues to advocate for dignified, secure retirement plans for public servants from coast to coast–because the promise of guaranteed lifetime income following a career of service is one aspect…

  • Honoring Dr. King’s Vision of Dignity, Work, and Economic Security

    Each year, we honor the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.—a leader whose vision extended far beyond a single movement or moment in time. Dr. King deeply believed in the dignity of work and the moral responsibility to…

  • 2025 Wrapped: Stories That Shaped the Conversation on Retirement Security

    As 2025 comes to a close, conversations about retirement security aren’t slowing down—they’re gaining momentum. This year, we published stories highlighting public employees, pension reform, and the nation’s shifting retirement landscape. Together, these stories reached more than 2 million people…

  • NPPC Briefing: TIAA’s “Futurewise” Rollout Signals a New Push to Privatize Retirement

    Last month in Washington, D.C., TIAA convened its FUTUREWISE conference—an event that doubled as a high-profile launch for its media campaign and product rollout. Framing the U.S. as facing a “retirement-income crisis,” TIAA executives cast the company’s growing portfolio of…

  • The Hidden Cost of Mass Layoffs: Black Workers’ Retirement Security

    When headlines announce hundreds or thousands of public servants being laid off, the coverage often stops at the immediate job loss. But the real damage runs much deeper: federal and state job cuts erode a foundational source of economic stability…

  • National Retirement Security Month

    October is National Retirement Insecurity Month. While public pensions remain one of the strongest and most reliable retirement tools, millions of Americans continue to face a frighteningly uncertain future. This year, that reality feels even more urgent. Recognize the Escalating…

  • Supporting the Educators Who Support Our Students

    The start of a new school year is always a season of possibility. The halls come alive with chatter and laughter, classrooms shine with fresh supplies, and students arrive eager to learn with new backpacks in tow. Parents share in…