Public Policy

Newly Proposed Legislation Can Help Resolve America’s Retirement-Savings Gaps

Writing in the RCH Consolidation Corner blog, RCH founder, president & CEO Spencer Williams delves into recently-proposed legislation in the U.S. Senate, making the case that its auto portability-related provisions will make a real difference in the retirement security of millions of hardworking Americans. Citing Vanguard's recently-released How America Saves report, Williams notes that the highly-respected annual report "underscored that premature cash-outs of small 401(k) balances continue to threaten retirement readiness for plan participants, especially those who are younger and have less savings." Williams quotes the Vanguard research as concluding that "[a]uto portability services and revisions to minimum balance rules can help decrease cash out rates." Williams goes on to praise the Senate's bipartisan approach to the bill, adding: "[i}f the legislation is signed into law, the retirement-savings gaps in our society can begin to be filled."

New bill would automatically roll 401ks to new jobs

Writing in Yahoo News, reporter Thomas Gnau addresses the bipartisan “Advancing Auto Portability Act of 2022,” introduced by Sens. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, and Tim Scott, R-S.C. The legislation, Gnau writes, takes aim at "retirement plan leakage" and "aims to make it easier for workers to take 401K retirement accounts with them to new jobs." The piece quotes Sen. Brown, as well as RCH founder, president & CEO Spencer Williams.

Also featured in the Dayton Daily News and the Journal-News (Butler County)

Brown, Scott Introduce Bill to Increase Retirement Security

U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) announces on his website (https://brown.senate.gov) that he and U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) have introduced the bipartisan Advancing Auto-Portability Act of 2022, a bill that would allow a worker’s 401(k) savings account to be automatically rolled over from a previous employer to a new employer. The legislation would cut red tape to help Americans who change jobs frequently to increase retirement savings.

Can This Bill Protect Retirement Savings for Workers Who Change Jobs?

Writing in SmartAsset, Wola Odeniran reports on the implications of the Advancing Auto-Portability Act of 2022, which was introduced by U.S. Sens. Tim Scott (R-SC) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH). Odeniran notes that the proposed legislation would provide employers with modest financial incentives to adopt auto portability, while individuals would benefit from having a "valuable safety net" to avoid cashout leakage, early withdrawal penalties, or in some cases, forgetting a retirement savings account.

Also featured on AOL.com

SECURE 2.0 Momentum Surges with EARN Act’s Unanimous Committee Approval Today

401k Specialist Managing Editor Brian Anderson covers breaking, retirement-related legislative action in the US Senate, which voted unanimously in the Finance Committee to advance legislation that includes provisions for auto portability. Anderson's piece includes a synopsis of comments by Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) on the bill's four major reforms, including auto portability. Regarding auto portability, Anderson quotes Wyden as stating that the EARN Act is going to make portability "a whole lot simpler.”

EARN Act Clears Senate Finance Committee

PLANSPONSOR's John Manganaro reports on the 6/22/22 unanimous approval by Senate Finance Committee of the EARN Act, which includes provisions for auto portability. Manganaro refers to a statement released by Kevin Barry, president of workplace investing at Fidelity Investments, who notes that "[t]he EARN Act will also help facilitate automatic portability between retirement plans through so that individuals’ savings can follow them through job changes.”

Also featured in PlanAdviser

The Path(s) of Least Resistance

Writing in NAPA Net, the American Retirement Association's Chief Content Officer Nevin Adams examines the topic of 401(k) consolidation, or rather, the lack of it in our defined contribution system. Noting a litany of ills that result from unconsolidated accounts, Adams points to the recently introduced Advancing Auto Portability Act of 2022, which has the potential to create a new "path of least resistance" for small-balance job changers "that makes it easy for us to do the 'right' thing."

Senate Legislation Calls for Automatic 401(k) Transfers

PLANSPONSOR's DJ Shaw examines the Advancing Auto Portability Act of 2022, introduced on 6/15/22 by Senators Tim Scott, R-South Carolina, and Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio. Referring to Senator Scott's press release, Shaw quotes Senator Scott, Alight Solutions EVP Alison Borland and RCH President & CEO Spencer Williams.

Also featured in PlanAdviser