Kaptur Applauds Protection for Millions of Union Retirees' Pensions

Press Release

Today, Representative Marcy Kaptur (OH-09) released the following statement applauding implementation of an American Rescue Plan Act program that will protect retirement benefits for 3 million American workers, retirees, and family members.

Today, the Biden Administration announced its implementation of the Butch Lewis Act program that will strengthen multiemployer pension plans and protect the retirement benefits of more than 3 million Americans who worked in the trucking, transportation, manufacturing, mining, and other industries.

Included as part of the American Rescue Plan Act passed by Rep. Kaptur and Congressional Democrats in 2021, the Butch Lewis Act will provide special financing to more than 200 multiemployer pension plans across that country that have faced financial insolvency. Without this legislative action, beneficiaries of these pensions -- including tens of thousands of Ohioans -- would have seen significant reductions in their earned benefits. Now, through the Butch Lewis Act, these pensions are projected to remain solvent until at least 2051.

"America made a promise to millions of hardworking men and women who built up our country -- and it is a promise that we must keep," said Rep. Kaptur. "Retirement security is Middle Class security, and those who labored throughout their lives deserve to benefit from the fruits of their labor. Thanks to the Butch Lewis Act, we are strengthening this bedrock retirement system and ensuring that retirees and their families are able to live with the dignity they have earned."

The Butch Lewis Act grew out of legislation long championed by Rep. Kaptur, including the Rehabilitation for Multiemployer Pensions Act that she co-introduced in 2017, and the Keep Our Pension Promises Act that she introduced in 2015.

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