Press Release

IRI Announces 2025 Federal Champion of Retirement Security Award Recipients

Issued by Insured Retirement Institute [IRI]

Dec. 9, 2025

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Insured Retirement Institute (IRI) presented Sen. Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-La.) and Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) with its Federal Champion of Retirement Security Award in recognition of their leadership and efforts to enhance retirement security for America’s workers and retirees.

“Senator Cassidy and Senator Kaine embody the spirit and leadership of this award through their strong bipartisan commitment to advance policies to help more of America’s workers and retirees achieve a secure and dignified retirement,” said Wayne Chopus, President and CEO at IRI. “It is our privilege to present them with IRI’s Federal Champion of Retirement Security Award.”

Sen. Cassidy is the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) and a member of the Senate Committee on Finance. Retirement issues fall under the jurisdiction of each committee.

Sen. Kaine is also a member of the HELP Committee, where he and Sen. Cassidy have partnered to sponsor two bills included in IRI’s Retirement Security Blueprint: the Helping Young Americans Save for Retirement Act (S. 1707) and the Auto Reenroll Act (S. 1831). Both senators also have cosponsored another IRI-advocated measure from its Blueprint, the Retirement Fairness for Charities and Educational Institutions Act (S.424).

“Americans who work hard their entire lives deserve to retire with confidence. That’s why we’ve worked to protect their benefits and strengthen the programs they count on,” said Dr. Cassidy.

“Everyone deserves to retire with dignity and security, and I’m proud to have worked with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to introduce key legislation like the Auto Reenroll Act and the Helping Young Americans Save for Retirement Act to ensure all Americans can do just that,” said Kaine. “I’m honored to receive this year’s Federal Champion of Retirement Security Award alongside Sen. Cassidy and remain committed to working together to make it easier and simpler to retire.”

“IRI is committed to working with these two outstanding leaders on additional legislation to enhance retirement security for more of America’s workers and retirees to ease their anxiety about outliving their savings during their retirement years,” Chopus said.

The Champion of Retirement Security Award was established in 2013 to recognize Members of Congress who work to enhance retirement security in the United States.

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