Results and Implications of California and Connecticut State Retirement Plan Studies

On March 3, experts at an event hosted by The Pew Charitable Trusts discussed the results and implications of recent studies in California and Connecticut on the feasibility of creating state-sponsored retirement savings plans for private-sector employees who lack access to plans at work. The presentation was followed by a panel discussion with state officials charged with developing or implementing state retirement plans in Connecticut, Illinois, and Oregon. The event was moderated by John Scott, who directs Pew’s retirement savings project.

First hour: Findings from state feasibility studies

Alicia Munnell, director, Center for Retirement Research at Boston College

Nari Rhee, manager, Center for Labor Research and Education at the University of California, Berkeley

Second hour: Reactions and comments from state officials

Kevin Lembo, Connecticut state comptroller

Michael Frerichs, Illinois state treasurer

Lisa Massena, executive director, Oregon Retirement Savings Plan