We’re a fan of good news around here. We love celebrating! But when Mercer gives the US retirement savings system a “C” on the global scale we have to admit we feel a bit meh.

It’s one thing to be beaten by the Netherlands and Australia. Things start to hurt a bit when you’re beaten out of the top 20 by Canada … and even Kazakhstan.

So, what have the Kazakhs and the Canucks got right that we don’t? Let’s take a closer look.

We love October. Yes, it gives us an excuse to go overboard with house deco and candy. Anddddd, it's also #NationalRetirementSecurityMonth here in the US. Clearly at RSM this is “our” national holiday. Just saying. This month is dedicated to spreading awareness about the significance of saving for retirement. So, let's rally on the hashtag, grab a pumpkin beer or pumpkin spice, and get on with it:

• The 4 E’s you say? with Peter Thompson and RetirePath Virginia

• Frrreshhh state metrics … where are we now

• Updates from Colorado, Maine, Minnesota, New Jersey and New York

• We mashup nesting shore birds and … retirement savings innovation 🐦

• Wisdom from the wild cliffs of Maui

• Hot Sauce! and some cooool stuff, and

• … PIX of the Week!

With a civilian labor force of 4.5 million, Virginia leaders had a lot to think about when they realized a good chunk of those folks didn’t have workplace access to retirement savings. That’s all changing. We talk today with program director Peter Thompson about the present, the future, and what he’s seeing in this new space.