Cong. Sam Johnson kicks off National Save for Retirement Week
Washington,
Oct 19 -
Today U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson’s (3rd Dist.-Texas) kicked off National Save for Retirement Week while discussing the importance of paying yourself first with fourth graders at Math/Science/Technology Magnet School in Richardson. Johnson co-authored the law that proclaims the week of October 18th National Save for Retirement Week.
Johnson, the lead Republican on the Social Security Subcommittee on the Ways and Means Committee, is on a mission to increase awareness and share the importance of saving for retirement. Johnson co-wrote the 2009 savings resolution, H.Res. 662, with Democrat Allyson Schwartz of Pennsylvania. In 2007, Johnson and Schwartz crafted the inaugural bill that created the first-ever National Save for Retirement Week.
In addition, in 2006, Johnson helped draft the first pension reform in a generation, the Pension Protection Act. The measure, among other things, created an incentive for employers to enroll employees in 401(k) plans and to match part of the employees’ contributions. The law also sparked new retirement protections in the wake of the Enron scandal.
Today Johnson partnered with Junior Achievement, which aims to boost financial literacy among young people so they can thrive in today’s global economy. At today’s event, Chris Blackwood of Murphy with Nortel in Richardson, volunteered his time on behalf of Junior Achievement’s $AVE USA Initiative. The program strives to teach students the financial importance of handling money, especially when it comes to earning, saving, spending, sharing and setting goals.
“Junior Achievement appreciates Representative Johnson’s commitment to teaching young people about financial literacy, particularly about saving, as he did today,” said Linda Schoelkopf, President of JA Dallas. “Financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship, the three focuses of Junior Achievement’s curricula, are critical if students want to be successful when they reach adulthood, avoiding the mistakes of so many adults today.”
Adults eager to learn more about saving should visit www.choosetosave.org. Developed by the nonpartisan Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) and its American Savings Education Council (ASEC) program, Choose to Save® promotes the idea that saving today is vital to a secure financial future. As part of its mission, Choose to Save® develops user-friendly, multimedia materials to help individuals plan and save for their financial future, like the Ball Park Estimate worksheet and online planning calculators.
“I know it can be discouraging to even think about your retirement savings in this economy. But getting started is the most important step you can take towards building a nest egg for your later years. It’s always a good time to learn the benefits of paying yourself first and making saving for you a top priority,” stated Johnson.
Johnson represents portions of Dallas and Collin Counties.
For a photo of Johnson with the fourth grade students, please contact McCall Avery at 202-225-4201.
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