By Michael Lucci

Illinois is one of a handful of states that is still struggling to put people back to work after the Great Recession. Just consider: Though Illinois now has 39,000 more private-sector payrolls jobs now than it had before the Great Recession began, there are 110,000 fewer Illinoisans working than before the recession began.

Illinois’ recovery has been tripped up by anti-jobs regulations, staggering debt problems and painful tax hikes. While surrounding states have attracted new investments and jobs growth, hard-working families in Illinois have been left behind because the state simply hasn’t put its house in order. This has resulted in weak growth and a struggling jobs recovery likely driven by part-time work.

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By: Michael Lucci

Most states have far outstripped Illinois on the number of jobs recovered. And even worse, Illinois has also lagged in the quality of jobs recovered. Illinois was the 37th state to recover and match its pre-recession jobs count. But there are still 110,000 fewer Illinoisans working today than before the recession began.

Illinois is one of a handful of states that is still struggling to put people back to work after the Great Recession. Just consider: Though Illinois now has 39,000 more private-sector payrolls jobs now than it had before the Great Recession began, there are 110,000 fewer Illinoisans working than before the recession began.

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By: Suzanne McGee

As Americans look to build their future on 401k plans, they find themselves perched atop nest eggs that are far too small

Here’s a thought about how to make America great again: bring back pensions.

If Donald Trump really is intent on turning back the clock to the glory days of an America before globalization knocked the stuffing out of the US manufacturing sector, why stop at trade?

Part of what is making all but the wealthiest Americans feel so economically vulnerable today isn’t just that incomes have been eviscerated. It’s the fact that when we retire, those of us without pensions – a growing proportion, especially if we’re not public sector employees or union employees – are perched atop very, very tiny nest eggs.

2016 IPPFA MidAmerican Pension Conference is now open for enrollment.

Registration now open for the 2016 IPPFA MidAmerican Pension Conference Golf Outing.

2016 IPPFA MidAmerican Pension Conference is schedule for October 4th – 7th, 2016, at the Grand Geneva Resort & Spa in Lake Geneva, WI.

Important update for the 2016 IPPFA MidAmerican Pension Conference: The Grand Geneva Resort & Spa is now full. The Holiday Inn Club Vacation is now accepting reservations. You may also book over the phone by calling (866) 915-4224 and providing the agent with your travel dates between 10/3/2016 and 10/8/2016 along with the group code which is IPP

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By: Greg Hinz

Now that Illinois finally has half a budget for half a year—Hallelujiah! Praise the Lord!—it’s not unreasonable to ask when we’re going to get the rest, that being spending for the second half a year and a tax package to pay for it all instead of continuing to put it on the plastic.

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Medicare & Social Security – Getting the Most out of Retirement Benefits
Getting the most out of your retirement benefits isn’t as complicated as many may think. While it is true that every seniors situation is unique to themselves and their spouses, maximizing your benefits to ensure you get the best possibly outcome isn’t.

4 Tricks For Stretching Your Social Security Benefits
Making the best of your Social Security benefits is a struggle for many Americans, especially those of you who are largely dependent on Social Security for most of your monthly income. Questions like when to begin drawing your benefits, how to best spend them, and what to do if your benefits aren’t enough to survive on weigh on millions of seniors minds every year.

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The Illinois legislature plans to reconvene next week as the state approaches a second year without a budget.
Senate President John Cullerton told members Thursday they should return to Springfield on Wednesday. The House also is expected to be in session.
Lawmakers have been working on a stopgap budget to fund schools and other government services in the fiscal year that begins July 1.

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