Recent Developments

SECURE 2.0 enshrines auto portability into law

P&I Washington reporter Brian Croce examines specific provisions of recent SECURE 2.0 legislation "codifying" auto portability and helping to create a highly-favorable environment for adoption of the new plan feature. Croce turns to industry experts, including RCH EVP Neal Ringquist and Fidelity's Sterling Ingui, head of next generation products, workplace investing. Ringquist states that the legislation "removed some potential uncertainty some of those record keepers and plans had regarding the permanence of auto portability" while Ingui adds that the provisions "will help address the long-standing problem of plan leakage in the industry."

The Big Shift Towards Auto Portability

RCH's Tom Hawkins, writing in 401k Specialist, asks readers if they've noticed the recent "big shift" towards auto portability. Hawkins writes: "[f]or those accustomed to a glacial pace of change in the world of retirement, you could be forgiven if you’ve missed two very recent, tectonic shifts toward the system-wide adoption of auto portability" that occurred in rapid succession in the fourth quarter of 2022. The formation of the Portability Services Network (PSN) in October, quickly followed by SECURE 2.0 legislation that included important auto portability provisions, were both "unprecedented actions" which Hawkins asserts will continue to reverberate in the retirement industry. "The 'big shift'", Hawkins concludes, "won't be completed overnight, but it's already well underway, and will proceed with a pace that could take many more by surprise."

Previously featured in RCH's Consolidation Corner blog

Robert L. Johnson Lauds Congress for Including Auto Portability in SECURE 2.0 Act

In a 12/28/22 press release, Robert L. Johnson, founder of The RLJ Companies and Chairman of Portability Services Network (PSN) and Retirement Clearinghouse (RCH), lauded Congress and others for their role in the passage of SECURE 2.0 legislation, which included provisions for auto portability. "I am pleased that this Congress codified auto portability and thereby recognized the value and importance this plan feature delivers to address the retirement security needs of so many underserved Americans," said Johnson. "I am particularly grateful to Senators Tim Scott (R-SC) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) for their support in advancing auto portability through this Congress. I also want to thank Marc Morial, President & CEO of the National Urban League and Derrick Johnson, President & CEO of the NAACP for their leadership and being early, vocal supporters of auto portability."

2022: A Most Consequential Year for Retirement Savings Portability

Last year at this time, Retirement Clearinghouse (RCH) predicted that 2022 would be a pivotal year for retirement savings portability. It turns out we were right, but we confess to being pleasantly surprised at just how consequential (and positive) the year has been, and it’s not over yet. Writing in 401k Specialist, RCH's Tom Hawkins provides a rundown of key events during 2022 that have helped to positively shape the future of retirement savings portability.

Webinar Showcases Extraordinary Industry Alignment on Auto Portability

For defined contribution recordkeepers, competition has long been fierce, so it’s extraordinary when industry rivals join forces and align around a common cause. That alignment around auto portability, embodied in the newly launched Portability Services Network (PSN), was on full display in a 12/8/22 Groom Law Group webinar. The event featured representatives from retirement industry titans and founding PSN members Alight Solutions, Fidelity Investments and the Vanguard Group, joined by Retirement Clearinghouse (RCH) EVP Neal Ringquist. Watch a video replay of the webinar and read a summary of the event.

Previously featured in RCH's Consolidation Corner

Fidelity 401(k) Balances Drop 23%, But Default Savings Hold

PLANSPONSOR's Alex Ortolani reports on Fidelity's press release featuring their Q3 2022 retirement analysis, and includes quotes from Kevin Barry, president of Workplace Investing at Fidelity Investments. Ortolani writes: "Fidelity’s Barry also spoke in the release to the importance of retirement savers not leaving behind savings plans when they change jobs. Just last month, the Boston-based firm joined with Vanguard and Alight to create a consortium to tackle the issue of 'cash-out leakage' from participants leaving behind small retirement accounts" and quotes Barry as stating that “[a]uto-portability can play a crucial role in increasing retirement security for these Americans."

Also featured in PlanAdviser

Fidelity® Q3 2022 Retirement Analysis: Despite Continued Volatility, Retirement Fundamentals Remain Sound

In a press release where Fidelity Investments provides their 3rd quarter 2022 retirement analysis, Kevin Barry, president of Workplace Investing at Fidelity Investments found the opportunity to address the need to stem 401(k) cashout leakage via auto portability. In the release, Barry states: "Auto-portability can play a crucial role in increasing retirement security for these Americans by automating the movement of an inactive retirement account seamlessly into the active account of a new employer’s plan, potentially preserving trillions of dollars in future savings.”

Auto-Portability Receives Bipartisan Backing with House Bill

401k Specialist's Amanda Umpierrez examines HR 9252, auto portability legislation recently introduced to the House of Representatives by Reps. Brad Schneider (D-IL) and Ron Estes (R-KS). Umpierrez turns to Renee Wilder-Guerin, RCH's EVP, Public Policy, who states: “[w]e hope that it indicates that not only do we have support for auto-portability on the Senate side, but we have support on the House, and that increases the chances of auto-portability language being included in SECURE 2.0.”