NIRS is pleased to launch a new research product to supplement our research Reports and Briefs.  The new Data Zone provides timely, concise insight and analysis on key retirement data and issues. 

The inaugural Data Zone analyzes the Federal Reserve's recent Flow of Funds report.  "New Fed Data Sheds Light on Pension Investments" reveals some interesting trends. 

In 2009, the stock market rebound helped the investment performance of all types of plans.  But state and local pension plans did better than their private sector counterparts, posting gains of 16%, as compared with gains of 13% for DB plans in the private sector.  

Read more here.

NIRS Responds to The New York Times

In a letter to the editor, NIRS writes that the March 9th New York Times pension article missed the real story behind some interesting trends in pension investing. 

An accurate read of data reveals the effects of broken Federal retirement policy and the resulting degradation of retirement security for millions of Americans. 

Contrary to claims made in the article, pension plans in both the corporate and public sectors have adjusted investments to reduce risk. 

Read more here.

NIRS Delivers Results from Coast to Coast

We invite you to review NIRS' 2009 Impact Report:  Delivering Results from Coast to Coast. 

The report details our annual Research and Education results, and also provides information regarding the organization's leadership and membership.

We all know that the economic downturn made 2009 one for the history books.  At the same time, it has put a sharp focus on retirement insecurity issues.   We hope that our work in 2009 helped to contribute to informed policy making that ultimately will help rebuild the road to retirement for Americans.

The full report is available here.  

In the News

Reuters, Pensions & Investments, Plan Sponsor, National Underwriter and BNA cover NIRS Data Zone analysis of the Federal Reserve's pension data.

EducationNext publishes NIRS response to a recent piece on teacher pensions.

Read all NIRS in the news here.

Member Spotlight

We welcome the newest NIRS Educational Sustainer, Tegrit Financial Services.  Tegrit joins more than 100 organizations supporting the work of NIRS.

More information about NIRS membership opportunities is available here.

Coming Soon...

In the coming weeks, NIRS will release new research examining long term trends in employee compensation including retirement benefits.  NIRS members will receive notification of an advance webinar briefing with the report authors. 

Watch also for a conference report summarizing NIRS inaugural policy conference, "Raising the Bar:  Policy Solutions for Improving Retirement Security."  

In the meantime, NIRS research products are available here.