SEIU Union Forever

SEIU is stronger when our retirees stay involved. Established in 2019, Union Forever provides opportunities for SEIU retirees to stay active in fighting for those issues not only important to retirees, but to all working families.

Fighting to protect Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and more, SEIU retirees take political action, electing politicians who reflect our values and will advocate on issues that affect our families, our communities and ourselves. Union Forever is available to those retirees who do not have a retiree chapter at their local union or wish to be members of both their local union retiree chapter and SEIU’s Union Forever program.

Membership in Union Forever is only $5.00 per month or $60.00 per year. Being a Union Forever member will also give you access to the member benefit program shown below.

Become a Union Forever retiree member for $5.00 a month.

"There are attacks still on working people, pay inequity between men and women, too low a minimum wage, vile voter suppression laws and attacks on our democracy. I know my activism as a Retiree does enhance and support the actions of all those still working and fighting for social and economic justice."

- Merle Cuttitta, Chair of the Union Forever Workgroup

“The purple shirt is a reminder of the hope we have for a more equitable America, where workers receive a livable wage and CEO’s are taxed appropriately!”

- Dee Stannard, Union Forever Member

"As retirees, we have to educate the younger generations to understand the power of our union. Our communities were built on the ability to make good wages, have health insurance and have a voice politically. That is the power of our Union. We have to pass the torch and make sure the work to protect these benefits continues."

- Darlester Lee, Union Forever Member

I keep wearing my purple shirt because now is the time when progress is possible and I don't want to miss witnessing all the success coming our way.

- Alex Suarez, Union Forever Member

Fact Check: Learn the Truth About Retirement Security

Fact 1:

Today, more than 70 million American workers do not have any type of employer-sponsored retirement plan.

Fact 2:

People of color, young people, and low-income earners have the lowest access rates to employer-sponsored retirement plans.

Fact 3:

Only 17% of private and public sector workers have access to traditional defined benefit pensions, which provides retirees with a reliable, modest income.

Fact 4:

The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that at least 10 percent of Americans age 75 or older will be working or seeking employment by 2018.

Fact 5:

Three out of five middle-class new retirees can expect to outlive their financial assets if they attempt to maintain their pre-retirement standard of living. OR The average retired middle-income American will have to reduce their standard of living by 51 percent to avoid outliving their financial assets.

Fact 6:

Social Security benefits are less than $1,200 per month for millions of retired low wage workers with no other source of income.

Fact 7:

Social Security is largely responsible for the dramatic decline elderly poverty over the last 70 years. Almost 90 percent of all seniors (age 65 and older) receive Social Security; for many, it makes up over half of their income.

Fact 8:

Elder poverty rates are twice as high among Blacks and Latinos 65 and older. 19.4 percent of Black seniors and 19.0 percent of Latino seniors have incomes below the federal poverty line.

Fact 9:

The wealthiest 1% are not paying their fair share. If everyone contributed the same percentage of their income to fund Social Security, there would be enough funds to sustain and strengthen Social Security far into the future.

Fact 10:

Social Security will not bankrupt or ruin our government. In fact, under its current structure, Social Security will remain solvent at least until 2037.

Fact 11:

Seven out of 10 public employees get less than $30,000 per retirement.

Fact 12:

How financially viable are pensions? Pensions have financially viable for 70 years and were mostly on solid financial ground until the stock market crash.

Fact 13:

Pensions do so well that most of the pension dollars paid to firefighters, teachers, and other school employees comes from investment earnings, not contributions by government.

Fact 14: