News

Saver’s Match Looks Like a Game-Changer for Under-Saved Workers

401k Specialist Editor-in-Chief Brian Anderson evaluates the new survey findings on the Saver's Match program, resulting from a collaborative effort between Retirement Clearinghouse (RCH) and Boston Research Technologies (BRT). Anderson reviews the survey's key findings and quotes RCH President & CEO Spencer Williams, as well as BRT CEO and Co-Founder Warren Cormier. Anderson emphasizes the disproportionate benefits from the Saver's Match that could accrue to minorities, terming the program a "boon for minority savers."

Saver’s Match provides big incentive for 401(k) contributions

InvestmentNews' Emile Hallez examines the 4/9/24 Saver's Match survey analysis released by Retirement Clearinghouse (RCH) and Boston Research Technologies (BRT), which "builds on research showing the provision's potential reach and effect on retirement security." Hallez turns to RCH President & CEO Spencer Williams, who states that the program "could have a multiplier effect, as it not only encourages people to sign up for accounts and contribute more but also makes them more likely to receive employer matches as well as the federal government match." Hallez also quotes EBRI's Craig Copeland, who authored a 2/29/24 EBRI Issue Brief that estimated the population of savers eligible for a matching contribution at 21.9 million.

How the Saver’s Match Could Kick-Start Financial Inclusion: Study

NAPA Net's Ted Godbout covers newly-released research on the Saver's Match program, noting that the survey (How the Saver's Match Could Promote Financial Inclusion: A Survey-Driven Analysis of the Saver's Match Program) was a collaboration between Boston Research Technologies (BRT) and Retirement Clearinghouse (RCH). The survey confirms the significant public policy benefits that the program could have in leveling the playing field for lower income savers – particularly for Black and Hispanic workers. Godbout's piece quotes RCH President & CEO Spencer Williams, as well as with BRT's CEO and Co-Founder Warren Cormier.

Also featured in ASPPA Net

Corporate Adviser Podcast: Pot for Life around the world

In a podcast featured on UK-based Corporate-Adviser.com, host John Lappin discusses various international solutions for “small pots” (i.e., small balance accounts) that could be applied in the UK. Lappin turns to two AON consultants, who provide a country-by-country rundown on international best practices, with the U.S. and auto portability receiving mention around the 7:30 mark in the podcast. The show's guests also mention a “retirement clearinghouse” that operates the auto portability solution, which they characterize as being innovative, but still in the early phases of implementation.

Retirement Industry Weighs in on Auto Portability Regulations

As the comment period expires for the U.S. Department of Labor's proposed regulations on auto portability, the retirement industry has weighed in, as reflected in the following media articles:

• PlanAdviser: Chamber of Commerce, ERIC Ask DOL for Modifications to Auto-Portability Proposal
• PLANSPONSOR: Stakeholders Ask for Fewer Regulatory Mandates for Automatic Portability
• NAPA Net: ARA Submits Letter to DOL on Auto-Portability Proposed Regs and PTE (also featured in ASPPA Net)
• BenefitsPRO: ERISA group urges DOL to simplify its new 401(k) 'automatic portability' rule
• JD Supra: How DOL’s Proposed Automatic Portability Regulations Will Affect Defined Contribution Plans
• Business Insurance: ERISA Industry Committee calls for simplification of auto-portability rule
• Ascensus Washington Pulse: DOL Releases Proposed Regulations for Automatic Portability Transactions
• Morgan Lewis MLBeneBits: DOL Proposed Rule on Automatic Portability: Plan Fiduciaries’ Perspective

Changes for Small-Balance Savers

In the March-April 2024 edition of PLANSPONSOR Magazine, Remy Samuels covers developments surrounding small-balance accounts, including the 12/29/23 increase of the mandatory distribution threshold from $5,000 to $7,000, the recent announcement by the Portability Services Network (PSN) of live operations, and the release by Retirement Clearinghouse (RCH) of an updated version of its Auto Portability Simulation (APS). Samuels briefs her readers on all of these developments, and offers a summary of key results from RCH's new APS model.

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Why You Should Clean Up Those Old 401(k)s

Morningstar's Mark Miller examines the issue of 'old' or abandoned 401(k) accounts and concludes that "adopting good 401(k) hygiene" is key to success as workers change jobs, and consolidation is an effective approach that delivers broad benefits. When it comes to 401(k) automation, Miller turns to RCH EVP Neal Ringquist, who gives Miller a primer on auto portability, as delivered by the Portability Services Network (PSN). Miller quotes Ringquist on the benefits of auto portability -- particularly to under-saved demographic segments -- as well as the impact of consolidation in helping participants more effectively manage their retirement savings.

What to Do With Your 401(k) When You Leave Your Job

In a guest piece for Kiplinger's Personal Finance, RCH & PSN president and CEO Spencer Williams advises readers on the best course of action for keeping track of, and preserving retirement savings following a job change. First and foremost, Williams counsels participants to avoid cashing out, a behavior which happens all too frequently and "can make a big dent in an American’s retirement prospects." Instead of cashing out, Williams advises readers to mobilize their retirement savings "and consolidat[e] them in the active accounts in their new employers’ plans." Finally, Williams notes the promising developments within the Portability Services Network (PSN), which went live on 11/1/23, and which automates plan-to-plan consolidation for balances under $7,000.