Dear _________
I ask you to meet with people who are working on one of the most important issues of our day. Fair Retirement Reporting and Action.
This issue is one of the most important things you can do while you are in Congress. In light of all that is happening with the economy, the information and proposal being discussed and proposed by a group of individuals interested in making sure unbiased and understandable information and education is attainable to all citizens is of upmost importance. Proactive action by (NAME OF SENATOR OR CONGRESS PERSON) is sorely needed for not only the people of (your state ) but throughout the nation as well.
This proposal not only addresses the first roadblock people have - awareness (facing their own reality) and an offer of education, it will prove to incent people to take responsibility for their own retirement. This is especially needed with the losses individuals have taken in the markets and in their retirement funds.
I am concerned however about the future – an upcoming retirement shortfall crisis which will make our current economic problems look like a small wave compared to the retirement tsunami that will affect our nation when over 77 million baby boomers attempt to live in retirement.
This proposed bill will hopefully double the number of people taking planning for their retirement seriously (less than 1/5 of people currently have any planning), it will stimulate the financial services and education industry, and it will create fair reporting and benchmarks for how people are given information regarding a person's financial reality so people are not taken advantage of by unscrupulous financial product pushers.
As a person who represents (use personal information i.e. is trying to retire, is retired, comes from the field of education, comes from the financial industry, etc.), I am painfully aware of the need for this legislation.
Individuals need to wake up to what they are doing and what they need to do to take care of their retirement -- this bill starts a national debate, a national drive to do something and a way in which those who provide financial services can be out in the mainstream encouraging people to actually take responsibility (a first small step).
It protects consumers with a benchmark for reporting how a person's retirement "number" is calculated so those in the financial industry who might try to take advantage will not be able to manipulate data to hawk products. It helps put into the national limelight something that is important -- not Paris Hilton's search for a new best friend or what some celebrity is doing to shock America, but with the introduction of this legislation we can begin a national conversation about how to do something now that will make a real difference.
That difference can be shown easily with the use of technology and services available today to help a person plan now for their own "future dependent". And with this bill, the financial industry will be instrumental in providing the support (while helping them in having more people to talk with) through helping pay for this service. (See bill regarding how tax credit and deductions will be funded)
As a (use your background) , I know the best way to help people help themselves is to have an incentive or reward them for doing what is going to move them forward. The answer is not saving people but getting them to take responsibility -- self sufficiency.
This bill does just that.
I will have someone call the office to set up an appointment to discuss this. Please take their call and set aside a time to hear about this important proposal.
SINCERELY,
YOUR NAME
CC: Fair Retirement.org PO BOX **** Littleton, CO