WASHINGTON, DC -Mary Kay Henry, President of the 2.1 million member Service Employees International Union, issued the following statement in response to a new report released today by Senator Tom Harkin (D_IA), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, that examines and proposes solutions to America's retirement security crisis:

We commend Senator Harkin for his leadership in sparking a nationalconversation about the retirement security crises in America.

"Far too many Americans are living in poverty after a lifetime of hard work andplaying by the rules. Their economic insecurity will only trickle down to futuregenerations as seniors are forced to rely on their families or social services forsupport. This will put a further strain on those who are already stretched too thinby the boom and bust economy we have been experiencing for the last twentyyears and the lingering effects of the Great Recession.

"It's time to renew the American Dream by ensuring that all working people havethe promise of economic security in their golden years. Policy makers, employersand workers must come together to find comprehensive solutions to our loomingretirement crisis. Senator Harkin's analysis and proposals are a strong step in theright direction. We must use his proposal as a jumping off point for a nationaldialogue to explore new retirement models and strengthen Social Security."

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