As cities and states continue to struggle with their budgets, lawmakers are discussing cuts that a couple of years ago would have been unheard of. One target they have their eye on is public pension funds.
Proposed changes include raising the retirement age and required years of service before a worker gets a full pension, lowering cost-of-living increases, and making adjustments on how pension payments are calculated in an effort to lower payments.
If changes to your pension plan are in the works, tell Marketplace about it here.
Economic activity is picking up. But few companies are hiring. What does this combination mean for the average employee? Longer hours.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average number of hours per week worked by employees rose in February, March and April, the last month for which these statistics were available.
Today, Marketplace is checking in with both employers and employees to see what this increase in work hours means for you. Tell us here.
If you’re an employee, do you appreciate the overtime pay, but strain under the workload? If you’re an employer, are you on the verge of making some new hires, or are you happy continuing to pay your workers overtime as needed? Click here to share your story.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has launched a grassroots program aimed at mobilizing voters for this fall’s midterm elections. They’re calling the project Friends of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. They say that so far six million people have joined.
If you’re a “friend” of the Chamber of Commerce, Marketplace wants to know what inspired you to get involved and what you’re up to now. Are you making calls? Stuffing envelopes? Going door-to-door?
Click here to tell us.
For-profit colleges (University of Phoenix, Kaplan, Corinthian, Le Cordon Bleu, etc.) are in a tizzy over new rules in the works at the Department of Education. In order to be eligible for federal student aid programs—which make up the bulk of for-profit colleges’ revenues—they’re now required to prove that they prepare students for “gainful employment in a recognized occupation.”
The Dept. of Ed. will determine this by looking at graduates’ debt to income ratios. In other words, colleges will have to answer the following questions: how much debt did your students take on and how much are they making now?
If you received training from a for-profit career college or university, Marketplace wants to hear about your experience. Is your debt high and your income low? Or did your training lead you to exactly the kind of wages you had hoped for?
Tell us your story.
Overheard on the Trading Floor
Can online dating help you find a financially compatible mate?
cutebabe said: I just need someone out there to help me join college since my mum cant be able to take me... More
Was college worth it?
Roy Gathercoal said: Absolutely. We need to recover and rediscover the difference between job training and education. Training is specific knowledge how to... More
How does foreclosure affect children?
Andrea said: It’s made life harder. So far, what I thought would be one of the greatest summers in my 16 years... More
Susan from Winchester, VA
Joan said: I rather agree with Susan. I find myself much more generous these days since my income is up and financial... More