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Social Security Bridge Option Would Help Reduce Early-Claiming Penalties for Those with Retirement Savings (PDF)

"A Social Security Bridge option that is formalized, accessible, and easy to understand would allow beneficiaries to boost monthly benefits and help protect against downward mobility in retirement. This bridge, while important for many, is not as relevant for those with little to no retirement savings. Thus, [the authors] also advocate for increasing the Social Security minimum benefit to ensure adequate lifetime retirement income for the over 63 million Americans who will retire without any retirement savings."

Household Economic Shocks Increase Retirement Wealth Inequality (PDF)

10 pages. "Economic shocks explain at least 32 percent of withdrawals by workers in low-income households, and possibly more. The use of the retirement savings system as insurance against economic shocks fails to preserve retirement savings for their intended purpose and increases retirement income inequality."

The Automatic Stabilizing Effects of Social Security and 401(k) Plans

The comparative study examines how large pension institutions impact the long-term business cycle. It compared the effects of Social Security against market-based retirement vehicles such as 401(k) plans. The size of both these systems gives them a significant influence on the economy.

Are U.S. Workers Ready for Retirement? Trends in Plan Sponsorship, Participation, and Preparedness (PDF)

"Between 1999 and 2011, the availability of employer-sponsored retirement plans in the United States declined ... from 61 percent to 53 percent.... In 2011, 68 percent of the working age population (25-64) in the U.S. did not participate in an employer-sponsored retirement plan ... [This report's] findings suggest the decline in employer sponsorship of retirement plans and the shift away from traditional pensions (defined benefit plans) and toward 401(k)-type defined contribution plans are jeopardizing the retirement income security of U.S. residents."

Downward Trend in Maryland Residents' Ability to Retire

"[This] research attributes the downward trend in workers' financial security in retirement to three factors: ... [1] From 2000 to 2010, the availability of employer-sponsored retirement plans in Maryland declined by eight percentage points, from 67% to 59%. [2] A shift away from traditional ... mandatory, [DB] plans, to 401(k)-type [DC] plans. Only 36% of workers aged 25-44 have a DB plan as their primary employer-sponsored retirement plan, compared to 43% of workers aged 45-54 and 53% of those aged 55-64.... [3] A lack of participation in voluntary defined contribution plans."