Auto Portability in the News
Browse the most comprehensive collection of articles in the media that feature auto portability.
Alight Solutions to Lead Nationwide Launch of Auto Portability
In a press release issued Tuesday, July 14th, Retirement Clearinghouse (RCH) announced that Alight Solutions will lead the nationwide launch of the RCH Auto Portability program.
Institutionalized 401(k) portability needed now more than ever
Writing for BenefitsPRO, RCH President & CEO Spencer Williams examines the retirement-related circumstances brought about by the COVID-19 crisis, and sets forth a persuasive argument for the systemic adoption, or "institutionalization" of auto portability. By more-effectively coping with large numbers of terminated participants, auto portability will help reduce unnecessary cashouts, including "automatic" cashouts under $1,000, which Williams advises sponsors to avoid completely. During the crisis, when reduced mobility is the norm, Williams further advises sponsors to conduct participant searches to ensure that records are kept up-to-date.
Wellness Benefits Gaining Acceptance and Respect
Writing for 401kTV, Steff Chalk, Executive Director of The Retirement Advisor University, describes the growing employer acceptance of wellness benefits, as they become more readily measurable. Chalk extensively quotes an article previously authored by RCH's Spencer Williams in Employee Benefit News, where Williams itemizes the many real, quantifiable and positive impacts of auto portability on participants' financial wellness.
Without auto portability, terminated employees will miss out on retirement funds
Writing in Employee Benefits News, RCH President & CEO Spencer Williams examines the disruptive effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on America's retirement savers, and makes a persuasive case for the systemic, institutional adoption of auto portability as a means to help rebuild and to preserve retirement savings over the long-term. In the near-term, Williams observes that reduced participant mobility make this an opportune time for sponsors to update participant addresses.
COVID-19 Pandemic Demonstrates the Need for Institutionalized Portability
Writing in Consolidation Corner, RCH President & CEO Spencer Williams examines the disruptive effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on America's retirement savers, and makes a persuasive case for the systemic, institutional adoption of auto portability as a means to help rebuild and to preserve retirement savings over the long-term. In the near-term, Williams observes that reduced participant mobility make this an opportune time for sponsors to update participant addresses.
The Pluses of Portability
In their latest "Inside Angle" column featured in the April-May 2020 PLANSPONSOR Magazine edition, Groom Law Group's Steve Saxon and George Sepsakos advise fiduciaries on the "pluses of portability" -- specifically addressing the improvements auto portability confers upon the 15 year-old automatic rollover (ARO) feature. Auto portability, writes the authors, "is consistent with the DOL’s broader view that plan fiduciaries have an obligation to locate missing participants and to pay benefits." To this end, they urge sponsors & fiduciaries -- when reviewing their ARO programs -- to consider incorporating auto portability in order to best meet these core fiduciary requirements.
EBN: The Institutionalization of Portability is Key to Reducing Cash-Out Leakage
In his latest article in Employee Benefit News, RCH President & CEO Spencer Williams identifies plan-to-plan portability as a vital feature to prevent cash-out leakage. Similar to the progress that's been made over the past decade in reducing plan fees, Williams makes the case that the inevitable "institutionalization" of portability will dramatically reduce cash-out leakage and maximize participants' retained savings. Williams advocates for the adoption of a dual portability model, comprised of auto portability for small balances and a consent-based, concierge service for participants with larger balances.
Extend the Spirit of the CARES Act to Automatic Rollovers
In light of the COVID-19 crisis, RCH's Tom Hawkins examines another burden borne by millions of participants, when they’re furloughed or laid off and become subject to ‘traditional’ automatic rollover IRAs – where they’ll likely face high levels of cashouts, predatory fees and barriers to exit. Now, more than ever, it’s important for sponsors to act and to redress this burden. For sponsors utilizing traditional automatic rollover IRAs, Hawkins urges them to demonstrate their caring through three actions that will help address the problem and will deliver significant societal benefit.