Our Mission Statement
As we near the end of the first decade of the 21st century, America's workers face significant challenges. The impact of global competition, combined with the blinding pace of change -- both positive and negative -- brought about by advancements in technology, has created for many workers a sense of unease about the future. The shifting demographic of the American workforce, specifically the approaching "Baby Boomer" retirement explosion, does nothing to calm nerves concerning their future financial stability.
For years, analysts have referred to workers' retirements as a "3-legged stool" comprised of Social Security, pensions and personal savings. Today, however, Social Security's viability is uncertain; less than 50% of all workers have a pension; and American individual savings rates are at all-time lows. For the first time it appears likely that a generation of Americans will be in worse shape financially at retirement than the previous generation.
The American Retirement Security Coalition (ARSC) is committed to protecting the financial future of 
America's workers through legislation, political action and public education. Created by investment professionals, union leaders, and members and other concerned individuals and groups, the ARSC is working on real-world solutions to a critical problem, beginning with a fundamental understanding of the challenges facing American workers.
We recognize that, while Social Security is the cornerstone of the American retirement system, it is not enough alone to allow workers to maintain their standard of living in retirement. Solid, stable investments in the form of pensions and personal savings are also necessary for a truly dignified retirement. We begin with the belief that defined benefit pension plans are the best answer to the needs of working families, and the ARSC will work with our coalition partners to reverse the current trend by employers to dismantle existing funds or refuse to offer this option to new employees.
While we see defined benefit plans as the best option for American workers, we understand that there is no single answer to this problem. We will work with our coalition partners and other concerned groups to propose solutions for all workers. We welcome alternative views and recognize that this is a time for honest debate that leads to solutions, not hardened battle lines.
Utilizing our affiliated Political Action Committee, ARSCPAC, we will work to educate elected officials about this critical issue and participate in the electoral process to ensure our concerns are heard. We believe that courage from our elected officials is necessary to bring about the kind of change needed to deal with this problem; we believe, and feel strongly that our elected officials should understand that, for many workers, this is the most important issue of our time. We are determined to hold politicians accountable on their commitment to this vital work.
We welcome all individuals and groups who share our commitment to this work to join and support the ARSC.