Retired Public Employees Council of WA Working to protect and enhance the pension and health care benefits of Washington retired state, county and local government employees
State Treasurer Hosting Retirement Security Town Halls
State Treasurer Mike Pellicciotti is hosting retirement security town halls across the state to raise awareness about challenges that current and future retirees face. These town halls will be an opportunity to share ideas and hear what work is on the horizon that could ensure all Washingtonians have equitable access to long-term retirement security.
Joining Treasurer Pellicciotti will be guest panelists April Sims, President of the Washington State Labor Council; Aaron Keating, Managing Director at Economic Opportunity Institute; and Cathleen MacCaul, Advocacy Director at AARP Washington. Members of the public are invited to attend and participate in the conversations. Click on the below links to view and download the flyer for each event:
- Tukwila – July 26th
- Port Angeles – August 9th
- Yakima – August 17th
- Everett – August 22nd
- Steilacoom – August 28th
One of the goals of the town halls is to draw attention to an impending retirement security crisis. Currently, 83% of workers between ages 55 and 64 have nothing or very little saved in defined benefit and defined contribution pension plans. While many private employers have done away with traditional pension plans, public employee pension plans continue to thrive thanks to the advocacy of RPEC and allied organizations that represent retirees and active employees.
In his role as State Treasurer, Pellicciotti plays an important role in safeguarding public employee pension plans. He oversees all state assets and serves on the State Investment Board, which manages the funds invested in public employee pensions. In the last year, he has visited nine RPEC chapters to discuss pensions and other retirement security issues.
The town halls are being organized by Jesse Johnson, the Office of the State Treasurer’s Outreach and Community Engagement Director. Johnson served as State Representative from the 30th Legislative District (Federal Way) from 2020 to 2023 and received the 2021 RPEC Legislative Champion Award for securing funding for a cost-of-living adjustment for PERS 1 and TRS 1 retirees in a budget bill passed by the Washington State House of Representatives.
While RSVPs are not necessary, you can email jesse.johnson@tre.wa.gov to reserve a seat at any of the events. More information can be found at: https://tre.wa.gov/personal-finance/retirement/.
