Retirement funds are a cornerstone of financial security for millions of people, ensuring stability during life’s later stages.
However, many of these hard-earned savings and deferred wages are unknowingly contributing to the climate crisis through their investments.
Understanding this connection is vital for individuals looking to ensure their financial planning is not exposed to climate-related financial risks and jeopardizing the financial future of their children.
As of June 2024, total US retirement assets reached $40 trillion USD. Private retirement funds held $29 trillion in assets, with $14.5 trillion coming from Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs), $11.3 trillion from defined contribution plans, and $3.2 trillion from private defined benefit plans.
It can be conservatively estimated that at least $870 billion (3%) of private retirement fund assets are invested in, or exposed, to fossil fuels, making private retirement systems across the United States major investors in the fossil fuel industry.
It is important for employers and retirement plan administrators to give workers the option to choose climate safe retirement plans. Through this, workers will regain control over their savings, ensure their investments are safe from climate-related financial risks, and retire with dignity, knowing future generations will inherit a better world.
Economic action for people and the planet. Green America harnesses economic power—the strength of consumers, investors, businesses, and the marketplace—to create a socially just and environmentally sustainable society.
Health professionals calling on our sector's institutions to divest from fossil fuels as a global health imperative.
TIAA, the retirement finance giant serves educators, healthcare professionals, researchers and cultural institutions. But they use their participants savings to finance fossil fuels, deforestation and agricultural land grabs. Working together, we can make TIAA invest responsibly!
The SAG-AFTRA Pension fund provides retirement benefits to entertainment industry professionals and has at least $100 million invested in fossil fuels.
Workers deserve climate safe retirement funds. Will you sign this petition advocating that retirement funds prioritize climate-safe investment?
Make a request to your employer/retirement plan for information and investing options
Your participation helps us track progress, identify trends, and strengthen our collective impact.
We’ll explore how investment choices impact retirement outcomes and what you can do to ensure your savings are managed responsibly.
Learn how asset managers are using your savings to finance fossil fuel projects and fuel the climate crisis through this Sierra Club report.
Asset managers are investing in the climate crisis.
If there are fossil fuel bonds in your 401(k), you're effectively lending your retirement savings to companies so they can mine for coal and drill for oil.
You can check any ETF or mutual fund at fossilfreefunds.org, a regularly updated database managed by As You Sow.
Carbon Collective builds ClimateSmart portfolios for employer retirement plans and individuals that divest from fossil fuels, reinvest in climate solutions, and hold the rest so you have a diversified portfolio that is aligned with our changing world.
Rally your coworkers to make a difference.
