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Industry & Regulatory News
Financial Freedom Act Proposed in House
Representative Byron Donalds (R-FL) and several Republican co-sponsors have introduced HR 7860, the Financial Freedom Act of 2022. This is companion legislation to S 4147 introduced earlier this month by Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL). The proposal would prohibit the Department of Labor (DOL) from restricting the types of investments that plan participants can choose through participant directed accounts and self-directed brokerage accounts. The bills are in response to regulatory guidance released by the DOL and announced in March.
Industry & Regulatory News
Senate Proposes Proxy Vote Changes for Index Funds
Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK), along with co-sponsors Pat Toomey (R-PA), Mike Crapo (R-ID) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA), have introduced S. 4241 the “Investor Democracy is Expected Act” or INDEX Act. The bill would require investment advisors of passively managed funds to vote proxies in accordance with the instructions of fund investors – not at the discretion of the adviser. The adviser would be responsible for passing through the proxies, collecting the instructions, and voting according to the investors’ wishes. With the exception of routine matters, the investment advisor cannot vote on the proportion of shares for which voting instructions were not received. The proposal provides for a safe harbor whereby investment advisors would not be in violation of duties by choosing not to solicit voting instructions or voting the particular proxy.
Industry & Regulatory News
Emergency Savings Proposal Introduced
Senators Todd Young (R-IN), and Cory Booker (D-NJ) have introduced the Emergency Savings Act of 2022. The proposal would allow “pension-linked” savings accounts for participants of up to $2,500 (subject to cost-of-living adjustments) to be used for unexpected expenses. The accounts would be treated in the same manner as after-tax contributions, and plan sponsors could automatically enroll a participant with a compensation deferral percentage not to exceed three percent. The account can be invested as cash, in an interest-bearing deposit account, or an investment product designed to preserve principal and provide a reasonable rate of return—and is not subject to any unreasonable fees, restrictions, expenses or charges in connection with the account or withdrawals.
Industry & Regulatory News
Proposal Would Increase 529 Amounts Available for K-12 Expenses
Senator John Kennedy (R-LA) has introduced S. 4265, the Inflation-Adjusted Education Investment Act. The proposal would increase the current limit on 529 plan distributions from $10,000 to $12,000. The bill would also make the new cap adjustable for inflation beginning in 2023.
Industry & Regulatory News
Mental Health Matters Act Proposed in House
Representative Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA) has introduced H.R. 7780, the “Mental Health Matters Act,” which strengthens behavioral health benefits in schools and also amends provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA).
Industry & Regulatory News
Proposed: Employee and Retiree Access to Justice Act
Representative Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA) has introduced HR 7740 – the Employee and Retiree Access to Justice Act. The bill proposes to amend ERISA to provide that any mandatory predispute or coerced postdispute arbitration clause, class action waiver, representation waiver, or discretionary clause with respect to a plan is unenforceable. The bill would also amend ERISA to prohibit any such clause or waiver from being included in a plan document or other agreement with participants. A Senate companion bill was introduced by Senator Tina Smith (D-MN).
Representative DeSaulnier is the Chair of the House Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor and Pensions. Senator Smith is a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.
Industry & Regulatory News
Small Business Retirement Proposals Introduced in Senate
May 11, 2022 – Senator John Hickenlooper (D-CO) has introduced two retirement bills in the Senate. The Simplifying Small Business Retirement Savings Act, co-sponsored by Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), would require a group of plans filing a single Form 5500 under the SECURE Act to have an individual audit opinion for each plan that would otherwise be subject to an audit requirement. Additionally, the proposal would allow the designation of a fiduciary (other than an employer) to be responsible for collecting contributions to the plan in a pooled employer plan (PEP). The bill also directs the Secretary of Labor to conduct a study on PEPs.
The Incentivizing Small Business Retirement Savings Act would provide a tax credit for employer contributions of up to $1,000 per non-highly compensated employee, with a 2 percent reduction or phaseout of the credit for each employee that exceeds 50 employees. The credit would equal 100 percent in the first tax year and would be reduced by 25 percent each tax year for years 2-4.
Industry & Regulatory News
Financial Freedom Act Proposed in Senate
May 10, 2022 – Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) has introduced the Financial Freedom Act, legislation aimed at prohibiting the Department of Labor (DOL) from restricting the types of investments that plan participants can choose through participant directed accounts and self-directed brokerage accounts. The bill is in response to regulatory guidance released by the DOL and announced in March.
Industry & Regulatory News
Legislation to Encourage 529 Plan Savings Introduced
May 3, 2022 - Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Susan Collins (R-ME) have introduced S. 4103, the Helping Parents Save for College Act. The bill would provide low- and middle-income parents with a tax credit for contributions to 529 education savings accounts by expanding the Saver’s Credit. The credit would be worth up to 50 percent of 529 account contributions, with a maximum credit of $2,000 for low-and-middle income families.
Additionally, the proposal would allow plan beneficiaries to move excess funds from the 529 account to a Roth IRA without penalty, so long as the account was maintained for a 10-year period at the time of the distribution. This would alleviate concerns of adverse tax consequences if funds are not used for college. The amount eligible for rollover to a Roth IRA is limited to the lesser of the annual Roth contribution limit or the aggregate amount contributed to the program before the five-year period ending on the date of the distribution.
Industry & Regulatory News
Proposed Lump-Sum Buyout Disclosure Legislation Reintroduced
Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Tina Smith (D-MN), and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) reintroduced the Information Needed for Financial Options Risk Mitigation (INFORM) Act of 2022. The proposal would require pension plan sponsors to provide retirees and participants with certain information when being offered a lump-sum buyout from their defined benefit plan.