News

Could a Centralized Clearinghouse Fix 401(k) System Challenges?

Writing in 401kTV.com, Fred Barstein examines the recent proposal by Retirement Clearinghouse to build out a clearinghouse structure for America's retirement system, acknowledging its merit by observing that: "creating a centralized clearinghouse....allows retirement providers to securely exchange data and automatically move accounts when workers change jobs. Instead of today’s fragmented, often manual process, the system could operate more like a digital network that tracks and transfers retirement assets behind the scenes."

RCH Issues Vision for Retirement System Digital Clearinghouse

401k Specialist Editor-in-Chief Brian Anderson covers the new RCH whitepaper, Building Out Clearinghouse Services for the U.S. Retirement System: A Blueprint for a Digital Infrastructure, writing: "the release of the new whitepaper detail[s] how a neutral, digital clearinghouse—modeled on the proven Auto Portability Network—can systematically reduce cashouts, shrink the number of stranded and inactive accounts, and enable seamless interoperability across recordkeepers, custodians, IRAs, and government programs."

Why Plan Sponsors Need a Clear Uncashed Distribution Check Policy

Writing in 401k Specialist, RCH's Tom Hawkins addresses the significant uncertainties that plan sponsors face when navigating the issue of uncashed distribution checks. Hawkins writes: "it is vitally important that each retirement plan maintain a formal, documented and defensible uncashed distribution check policy – one that outlines the plan’s procedures, establishes consistent practices and mitigates fiduciary risk." Hawkins proceeds to identify key elements to consider when building such a policy, and -- conforming with the policy framework that Hawkins describes -- the article provides plan sponsors access to a downloadable, sample uncashed distribution check policy template for their use.

Previously featured in the RCH Consolidation Corner blog

RCH Proposes Radical System Intervention for 401(k) Plans

Writing in WealthManagement.com, Fred Barstein, the Founder and CEO of The Retirement Adviser University, offers his views on the 3/5/26 whitepaper released by Retirement Clearinghouse, which lays out a "blueprint" for building out a clearinghouse for the retirement system. Barstein characterizes the work as "a bold and deep white paper" which further builds upon an earlier "bold move by Spencer Williams, RCH’s CEO, and Robert Johnson, its owner" when they launched the Portability Services Network. Barstein observes that, to some the approach "might seem like a pipedream....except that RCH has created the model with the PSN", adding that "doing nothing is not viable."

Auto-portability fix for small 401(k)s leaves Roth savers behind

InvestmentNews' Lee Almazora pivots off an earlier piece in CNBC that highlights a general gap in the transfer of retirement funds that blocks Roth funds from moving back into another employer-sponsored plan, affecting auto portability. Almazora paraphrases RCH EVP & Chief Revenue Officer Neal Ringquist, who lays out key auto portability statistics, including consolidations, plans adopted and the number of active participants served by the network.

Small 401(k)s may automatically follow workers to their next job — except Roth money

Writing for CBNC, personal finance reporter Sarah Agostino examines the plan-to-plan portability afforded by auto portability, as delivered by the Portability Services Network, and highlights a gap that does not permit Roth funds to move through the system. Agostino turns to RCH EVP Neal Ringquist, who provides an overview of some key auto portability metrics, including consolidations, plans adopted and the number of active participants currently served by the network. Regarding Roth balance limitations, Ringquist states: “we are hoping this restriction is addressed by legislation or regulators soon, as it would open up additional accounts that can take advantage of auto-portability, particularly those in state-based auto-IRA programs.”

Also featured in MSN Money

How to Build Out the Auto Portability Clearinghouse Our Retirement System Demands

On March 5, 2025, Retirement Clearinghouse (RCH) released a landmark whitepaper – Building Out Clearinghouse Services for the U.S. Retirement System: A Blueprint for a Digital Infrastructure. Writing in NAPA Net, RCH's Tom Hawkins summarizes the high-level, compelling case for expanding the set of clearinghouse services beyond auto portability, and explains why this initiative is absolutely required in order to "create a retirement ecosystem that does what it should have done all along: protect workers’ savings as they move through their careers, not lose them along the way."

Previously featured in RCH's Consolidation Corner blog; also featured in PSCA News

RCH Proposes ‘Digital Clearinghouse’ to Modernize Retirement Infrastructure

Writing in NAPA Net, Ted Godbout addresses the newly-released whitepaper from Retirement Clearinghouse (Building Out Clearinghouse Services for the U.S. Retirement System: A Blueprint for a Digital Infrastructure), which "details how a 'neutral, digital clearinghouse' can reduce retirement plan cash‑outs and the number of dormant accounts, all while enabling seamless interoperability across recordkeepers, custodians, and government programs." Godbout writes "[t]he clearinghouse concept would be modeled after the firm’s Auto Portability Network, but expanded to include additional functionality, such as a Saver’s Match Network, Auto Locate Network, and Digital Rollover Network."