News

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.

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Senators introduce bipartisan auto-portability bill

P&I Washington, DC reporter Brian Croce covers the bipartisan bill introduced in the Senate by Sens. Tim Scott, R-S.C., and Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio -- the Advancing Auto Portability Act of 2022. Croce highlights the key features of the proposed legislation, quotes Sens. Scott and Brown, and notes that "[t]he bill has earned support from a wide swath of the retirement industry." Croce quotes RCH founder, president and CEO Spencer Williams, who praises the bill's bipartisan sponsors, while characterizing the legislation as "a huge win for America's hardworking retirement-savers."

Bipartisan Bill Backs Auto-Portability

Writing in NAPA Net, ARA Chief Content Officer Nevin Adams briefs readers on the 6/15/22 announcement of the bipartisan Advancing Auto Portability Act of 2022, introduced in the U.S. Senate by Senators Tim Scott (R-SC) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH). Adams notes the primary features of the legislation, mentions the role of Retirement Clearinghouse (RCH) and advises his readership to "stay tuned."

Senators Scott, Brown Introduce Bill to Increase Retirement Security

Today, U.S. Senators Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) introduced the 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.

The Worst 401(k) Mistake You Can Make When You Switch Jobs

Bloomberg's Suzanne Woolley examines the increased phenomenon of "job-hopping" which places workers at an increased risk of "making one of the biggest financial mistakes out there" -- cashing out their 401(k) balances. Woolley references the RCH Cashout Calculator and notes that Vanguard's latest How America Saves report references auto portability as a "solution to cashouts that it will offer plan sponsors within a few months." "That could have a big impact" continues Woolley, citing EBRI's $1.5 trillion savings projection for auto portability.

Also featured in Financial Advisor Magazine

Vanguard: Retirement Plans Should Evolve for the Modern Worker

On June 7th, Vanguard released the newest edition of How America Saves, the firm’s seminal report on 401(k) plan design and retirement savings habits. Through its annual, comprehensive analysis of nearly five million 401(k) accounts recordkept at Vanguard, the report reveals additional plan design opportunities employers can address to further improve workers’ retirement readiness. In the release, under key findings, Vanguard notes that "cash outs disproportionately impact younger, low-balance participants" and adds that "[a]uto portability services and revisions to minimum balance rules can help decrease cash out rates."

Leakproof Your Plan

Writing in the April-May edition of PLANSPONSOR magazine, Karen Wittwer and Noah Zuss collaborate to examine steps that plan sponsors can take to "leakproof" their retirement plans and to safeguard their participants' retirement savings from unnecessary leakage. Wittwer and Zuss turn to several industry sources, including RCH's EVP & Chief Revenue Officer Neal Ringquist and Tom Hawkins, SVP, Marketing & Research. In his remarks, Ringquist emphasizes the importance of addressing cashout leakage as the top priority, and striking a balance when it comes to restricting in-service withdrawals, while Hawkins cites the importance of providing education and assistance to new hires as well as to newly-separated participants.

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