Auto Portability - Recent Developments
Find the most-recent auto portability media coverage and developments.
Asset Consolidation: Facilitating participant roll-ins
In its Feb-March 2019 edition, PLANSPONSOR Magazine addresses the topic of asset consolidation, taking the position that plan sponsors who promote in-plan consolidation (“roll-ins”) are benefiting both their plans and participants. The article cites key findings from RCH’s 2015 Mobile Workforce study, and quotes RCH President & CEO Spencer Williams, who maintains that a clear connection exists between roll-ins and financial wellness. Finally, the article updates readers on auto portability, with the DOL‘s November 2018 actions providing clarity for RCH's Auto Portability program, and as Williams explains, “set[ting] a new standard of care for automatic rollovers.”
2018 in review - ERISA guidance
Writing in Lexology, Eversheds Sutherland LLP provides a retrospective of guidance issued in 2018 by the Department of Labor (DOL) under ERISA, highlighting the DOL's sole 2018 Advisory Opinion, which addressed the RCH Auto Portability program. Linking to their earlier analysis of the Advisory Opinion, the authors further speculate on the DOL's motives, stating that "auto portability offers a means to advance the important policy goal of preserving and improving the efficiency of retirement savings, which may account for DOL’s willingness to engage on this issue."
PRESS RELEASE - Ricki G. Ingalls, Ph.D., Recognized Creator of Large-Scale, Data-Driven Logistics Systems, Joins RCH as COO
Retirement Clearinghouse (RCH) announces that Ricki G. Ingalls, Ph.D., recognized creator of large-scale, data-driven logistics systems, joins RCH as Chief Operating Officer, reporting directly to Founder, President, and CEO Spencer Williams. Mr. Ingalls previously worked with RCH to design the innovative Auto Portability Simulation (APS), demonstrating the positive impact of auto portability for defined contribution service providers, and the improved retirement outcomes for plan participants.
Auto Portability: Preventer of 401k 'Leakage'
401kSpecialist's Brian Anderson finds a lot to like about auto portability in EBRI's Issue Brief No. 473, which compares outcomes of participants in 401k plans with auto-enrollment against defined benefit plans. The research, says Anderson, shows "how auto-portability in 401k plans could positively impact the retirement security for millions of job-changing Americans by preventing 401k plan leakage before it can occur." Anderson continues, writing: "[t]he concept of auto-portability is a darling of major retirement industry associations, and it’s not hard to see why."
2019 Retirement Outlook and Investment Insights Features Auto Portability
In PLANSPONSOR's Industry Voices, Jonathan Barry, senior retirement strategist at MFS Investment Management, discusses key trends retirement plan sponsors may expect to see in 2019, the issues they may face and offers his thoughts on how to address them. Turning to auto portability, Barry states that recent advances represent an "important step that will help with the issue of 'disrupted journeys,' which has become increasingly prevalent with more Americans working multiple jobs over their career."
BenefitsPRO: Auto-portability boosts 401(k) results in new EBRI research
In his 2/19/19 article in BenefitsPRO, RCH's Tom Hawkins examines new research, authored by EBRI Research Director Jack VanDerhei, Ph.D., comparing the retirement income generated by 401(k) plans with auto enrollment against defined benefit (DB) plans. While EBRI's primary objective was to address growing concern over the relative decline of DB plans, the study also identified significant, incremental benefits of auto portability, adding to a growing body of research from EBRI demonstrating that auto portability increases retirement security for 401(k) participants.
New EBRI Research Shows Millennials Benefit from Auto Portability
Expanding on research comparing DB plans vs. 401(k) plans with auto enrollment, on 2/14/19 EBRI released an infographic revealing the beneficial effect of auto portability on Milliennials. When auto portability is added to 401(k) plans, Millennials -- both male and female, for all years of eligibility, and for all income quartiles -- experience significant improvements in their 401(k) plan performance, as measured by equivalent break-even DB plan accrual rates. The latest EBRI analysis adds to a considerable body of evidence that auto portability is a leading retirement savings public policy initiative.
Why Auto Portability is Good for Your Retirement
Writing in IRIS, Joseph Conroy, CFP of Synergy Financial Group, examines auto portability from the perspective of the participant. Comparing participant outcomes that occur under the current system vs. those under auto portability, Conroy concludes that auto portability's benefits to participants are compelling, stating that "auto portability would be a benefit for retirement savers, both in the prevention of leakage and in streamlining accounts."
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