Retirement promises remain unfulfilled

Donald L. Barlett and James B. Steele report, in the Oct. 31 issue of Time magazine, that more and more companies are walking away from the promise of retirment benefits, leaving millions of Americans at risk of an impoverished retirement. "The investigation looks at how Congress let it happen and the widespread social insecurity it's causing. " The report concluded that long before today's Americans reach retirement, policy decisions by Congress favoring corporate and special interests over workers will drive millions of older workers, most of them women, into poverty. According to the story, Congress has enacted legislation that adds to the cost of retirement and eats away at dollars earmarked for food and shelter. One by one, lawmakers have destroyed policies that might have afforded Americans at least a decent chance at a secure life.