Legislation

The House and Senate returned Sept. 5 from a month-long break facing an extremely busy legislative calendar.The legislative agenda was already packed full, with the need to approve funding legislation for fiscal year 2018 (which begins Oct. 1), increase the debt limit, determine whether to revisit... READ MORE

On Aug. 29, the American Retirement Association requested relief for taxpayers, plan sponsors and service providers adversely affected by Hurricane Harvey.“At this very moment, the remnants of Hurricane Harvey continue to cause significant damage along the Texas/Louisiana Gulf coasts,” write ARA’s... READ MORE

The Washington State Department of Commerce is updating the rules for the state’s Small Business Retirement Marketplace. The department is responsible for managing the Washington Small Business Retirement Marketplace in consultation with the state Office of the Insurance Commissioner and Department... READ MORE

The House Education and the Workforce Committee approved legislation July 19 that would repeal the Department of Labor’s (DOL) fiduciary regulation.Not surprisingly, the 23-17 vote in support of the Affordable Retirement Advice for Savers Act (H.R. 2823) fell along party lines. The bill was... READ MORE

Witnesses at a House Financial Services subcommittee hearing July 13 largely offered their support for legislation to repeal the current DOL fiduciary rule and direct the Securities and Exchange Commission to take the lead in regulating the standards of care for investment advice.Of the five... READ MORE

I don’t know how it is where you live, but in the Beltway it seems that all anybody can talk about is Roth.More precisely, the talk is about “Rothification,” specifically the elimination of some — or in certain ‘worst case’ scenarios, all — of the employee pre-tax savings advantages of the 401(k).... READ MORE

Legislation that would allow graduate students to put funds from a fellowship or stipend in an IRA is before the Senate.The bill would amend the federal tax code to change the current treatment of such funds, which are taxed as income by federal and state governments but do not qualify as... READ MORE

Concerns about retirement and health care loom large for American workers and the U.S. Senate is reportedly close to its version of a health care reform bill. We need your help ASAP to tell Congress to make it easier for workers to manage their health and retirement savings.What’s the Issue?The tax... READ MORE

A bill that would repeal some of the major provisions of Dodd-Frank and the DOL’s fiduciary rule will move to the House floor for a vote this week, something that did not happen in previous sessions for similar legislation. That said, even if the House passes it, its chances in the Senate are bleak... READ MORE