“I want to applaud the General Assembly on the passage of S.135 and the enabling legislation to create the “Green Mountain Secure Retirement Plan.” The Senate Committee on Economic Development, Housing & General Affairs; the House Committee on Commerce & Economic Development; and the House Committee on Government Operations were particularly instrumental in their support, leadership, and careful vetting to make this bill a reality. I also want to thank the Scott Administration for their support of this bill as well as the members of the Public Retirement Study Committee.
Every Vermonter deserves an opportunity for a lifetime of financial wellbeing. The passage of this bill will allow the State to make substantive steps towards implementing a voluntary retirement program for Vermonters who currently lack access to employer-sponsored retirement plans. This program will broaden the opportunity for more Vermonters to be better prepared for retirement and in doing so strengthen the economic vitality of our State. I want to praise the broad group of Legislators from all parties in the House and Senate and stakeholder groups who worked together to create this bill. The bill is a culmination of three years of study overseen by my office with the Public Retirement Study Committee. Today 104,000 Vermonters do not have access to employer-sponsored retirement plans. I look forward to working with businesses, advocacy groups, and other stakeholders to implement a program that works for all Vermonters.”
