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March on the Hill Carries Critical Message

Making one’s voice heard with legislators is more than a fine American tradition — it’s a powerful way to have a real impact. And for more than 15 years, members of ASPPA have been doing just that. 

They’ve been doing that through the March on the Hill, an event through which its members march on Capitol Hill to help educate and inform members of the House and Senate on the importance of the employer-sponsored retirement system. The importance of such efforts is not to be underestimated — hearing a message directly from constituents really registers with elected federal officials. 

On Oct. 24, hundreds of ASPPA members took some time out from the ASPPA Annual Conference and took part in the 2017 March on the Hill. They were part of 94 meetings at congressional offices — 30 in offices of members of the House of Representatives, and 64 in senators’ offices. Of the 2017 march, Alisa Wolking, ARA Director of Political Affairs, said: “This year, as we confront the potential for federal tax reform to undermine vital retirement plan incentives, the perspective — and voice — of ASPPA members is more critical to the nation’s retirement security than ever before. 

“The March on Capitol Hill is a convergence of the nation’s retirement plan professionals in Washington, DC for the purpose of engaging key federal policy makers, and advocating for our industry,” Wolking noted. “Legislators need to hear from their constituents and voters about the success of the employer-sponsored retirement system, and the March on Capitol Hill allows ASPPA members to be heard, and to actually make a difference as Washington works on federal tax reform,” she continued.

“The March on the Hill is a critical part of our advocacy,” said American Retirement Association CEO and ASPPA Executive Director Brian Graff of the event. “Congress needs to hear from professionals working directly with plan sponsors and participants about the importance of our nation's retirement plan system.”