
Reps Introduce Increasing Small Business Retirement Choices Act
The legislations’ backers say their proposal will lower the cost of providing plans for small business owners.
High Hopes for Legislative Progress in Late 2022
Taking a cue from the process that led to the adoption of the SECURE Act in late 2019, one retirement industry policy advocate says the odds are good for passage of retirement-focused legislation by the end of the year.

House HELP Committee Members Introduce Lifetime Income Legislation
The bill, which has been introduced in previous legislative sessions, would allow annuities to be a default investment in employer-provided 401(k) plans.
The 2022 Retirement Legislation Landscape Takes Shape
The SECURE Act became law at the very end of 2019, ushering in major changes for the retirement planning industry, and experts are again asking whether the close of 2021 could bring similar progress.
Advocacy Continues for Retirement-Related Provisions in Budget Draft, Other Bills
Industry professionals who work with lawmakers in Washington say they remain hopeful that retirement security issues will be addressed in the federal government’s budget for fiscal year 2022.
Retirement Policies Feature in Draft Budget Language Going Before House Committee
Budget reconciliation legislation set for debate in Congress gives top billing to universal paid family and medical leave, but key retirement policies also stand out, including a broad mandate for employers to offer retirement plans.
Women’s Retirement Protection Act Reintroduced in Congress
Democratic lawmakers in the House and Senate say the bill is needed to help address longstanding retirement insecurity issues—and to address some of the negative impacts of the pandemic.
House Ways and Means Committee Passes SECURE Act 2.0
The markup hearing, punctuated by a unanimous vote to advance the legislation, demonstrated that retirement security issues are capable of bringing together members of Congress who don’t agree on much else.
‘SECURE Act 2.0’ Appears Ready to Clear Committee
Sources say the House Ways and Means Committee will likely vote to advance the Securing a Strong Retirement Act of 2021, often called a follow-up to the SECURE Act, as soon as tomorrow afternoon.

IAA Endorses Adviser Diversity and Inclusion Data Act
The full title of House Resolution 2123 is the Diversity and Inclusion Data Accountability and Transparency Act; among other goals, it seeks to require regulated financial firms with more than 100 employees to disclose diversity data.
What Advisers Should Know About RMD Rule Changes
A new research report out of the Wharton School suggests changes to required minimum distribution (RMD) rules might not have as big an impact in practice as many might expect, though one subset of clients seems likely to benefit the most from an older RMD age.
House Democrats Introduce Pro-ESG Investing Bills
The lawmakers say their proposals to require more disclosure of environmental, social and governance information build on the proven principle that sustainable investing and profitable investing are not mutually exclusive.
Does Senate Hearing Foreshadow More Retirement Reform?
Commenters at a Senate Finance Committee hearing held Wednesday sure hoped so—and they had a lot of ambitious ideas.
A Strong Appetite for ‘SECURE Act 2.0’ in Congress
One retirement plan industry executive says his conversations with members of the U.S. House and Senate make him optimistic that Congress could act sooner rather than later on the new legislation.
What Biden’s Win Means for Retirement Plans
Experts say the president-elect could start the process of shoring up Social Security and embrace ESG investing.
Retirement Industry Cheers New ‘Securing a Strong Retirement Act’
The bipartisan piece of legislation includes provisions that have long been popular among retirement industry stakeholders, including the elimination of barriers to allow greater use of lifetime income products.
House Passage of Heroes Act Brings Test of Senate’s Stimulus Appetite
The close passage of the Heroes Act in the House of Representatives, with 208 yeas and 199 nays, underscores the difficult path ahead for the fourth coronavirus relief package.
‘INFORM Act’ Seeks Pension Lump-Sum Buyout Transparency
The bill would require an explanation of how a lump sum was calculated—including the interest rate, mortality assumptions and whether any additional plan benefits were included in the lump sum, such as early retirement subsidies.
SECURE Act Gets Fast-Track Treatment in Congress
The House Ways & Means Committee has already approved the bill, which mirrors many of the key provisions of the Retirement Enhancement and Savings Act.
Senators Introduce Bill Regarding Student Loan Repayment Benefits in Retirement Plans
Introduction of the bill follows a private letter ruling from the IRS in August in which it approved a plan sponsor's plan amendment to offer a student loan repayment benefit to employees.