Dozens of residents and organizations turned up at a Connecticut Senate committee hearing today to voice their support for a proposal that would set up a state-run retirement plan open to all Connecticut residents and businesses.

Senate Majority Leader Martin Looney, D-New Haven/Hamden, and House Majority Leader Joe Aresimowicz, D-Berlin/Southington, both expressed support for the measure, encouraging their colleagues in the Connecticut General Assembly to take action on behalf of aging constituents who are rapidly approaching retirement without any savings.

"Our nation and our state are currently on the brink of a retirement crisis that will not only impact retirees, but next generation workers as well," said Aresimowicz. "Every person who has worked hard throughout their life and played by the rules should have the ability to retire at an appropriate age and live the rest of their life with some financial security. This bill gives that chance to many people who otherwise will not be afforded the opportunity."