Legislative Progress
Momentum (last 30 days)
0
score
0 actions · 0 new cosponsors · 0 votes
Speed vs cohort
95pct
280d open
vs 6,526 other HR bills in the 114th — cohort avg 56d
Automatic IRA Act of 2015 Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) require certain employers who do not maintain qualifying retirement plans or arrangements to make available to their eligible employees a payroll deposit individual retirement account (IRA) arrangement (automatic IRA arrangement) which grants such employees the right to opt-out of participation; (2) require the Secretary of the Treasury to provide employers with a model notice for notifying employees of their opportunity to participate in an automatic IRA arrangement and to provide participants with an annual statement setting forth payments, earnings, value, and other specified information; (3) impose a penalty on employers who fail to provide eligible employees access to an automatic IRA arrangement; (4) allow employers who do not have more than 100 employees a tax credit for costs associated with establishing an automatic IRA arrangement; and (5) increase the dollar limitation on the tax credit for small employer pension plan startup costs. Establishes an Automatic IRA Advisory Group to make recommendations regarding automatic IRA investment options. Requires the Secretary and the Secretary of Labor to jointly conduct feasibility studies on: (1) extending spousal consent requirements to automatic IRA arrangements; (2) automatically transferring amounts saved by employees in retirement bonds into alternative, private sector, diversified investments when employees' automatic IRA balances reach a certain dollar level; (3) using investment data to notify individuals with multiple small balance retirement accounts of consolidation options; and (4) using investment arrangements associated with automatic IRAs to assist in addressing the problem of abandoned accounts. Directs the Secretaries to prescribe administrative guidance for the use of multiple employer plans by December 31, 2015.
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Filing registrants (16)
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions.
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Congress.gov source codes: H11100, H11100-A
Introduced in House
Congress.gov source codes: 1000, Intro-H
Bills with similar content found using semantic analysis.
Sources: Congress.gov
2017 · third_quarter · Retirement
Legislation and rulemaking affecting annuities, variable life products and retirement savings including Trump Administration and Congressional proposals on tax reform. A bill to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to require disclosure of lifetime income equivalents (H.R. 2055, S.868). Proposals at the Department of Treasury for increasing Americans' access to guaranteed lifetime income solutions. Proposals at the Department of Labor for increasing Americans' access to guaranteed lifetime income solutions. Department of Labor rule to expand the scope of persons and entities that would be considered a fiduciary under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. Securities and Exchange Commission proposed rule to expand the scope of persons and entities that would be considered a fiduciary under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. Automatic IRA Act of 2015 (114th Cong., H.R. 506), legislation that Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) require certain employers who do not maintain qualified retirement plans or arrangements to make available to their eligible employees a payroll deposit individual retirement account (IRA) arrangement (automatic IRA arrangement) which grants such employees the right to opt-out of participation. Retirement Plan Simplification and Enhancement Act of 2013 (113th Cong.), legislation to improve the rules governing lifetime income products and other retirement savings vehicles. Retirement Security Act of 2015 (H.R. 557, S.266), expand the ability of Americans to better save for their retirement and would encourage the use of private multiple employer plans. Department of Labor rules for states to create retirement savings programs. The Retail Investor Protection Act (H.R. 1090, S.2497), DOL fiduciary rulemaking. The Retirement Choice Protection Act (H.R. 3922), DOL fiduciary rulemaking. The SAVERS Act (H.R. 4294, S.2505), DOL fiduciary rulemaking. The SAVE Act (H.R. 4067), improve existing SIMPLE IRA and SIMPLE 401(k) retirement plans to make it easier for small businesses to offer savings plans to their employees. Womens Pension Protection Act (S.2110), strengthen consumer protections to safeguard retirement savings, improve access to retirement savings plans for long-term, part-time workers - the majority of whom are women - and help increase womens financial literacy. The Senior Safe Act of 2017 (H.R. 3758, S.223), clarify existing laws to allow and encourage financial service representatives at banks and credit unions, investment advisors, and broker-dealers to report suspected financial fraud targeting seniors to regulators, law enforcement, or adult protective service agencies. The Receiving Electronic Statements to Improve Retiree Earnings Act (H.R. 2656), amends ERISA of 1974 and IRC of 1986 to provide for electronic delivery of pension plan information. The Retirement Savings Lost and Found Act of 2016 (S.3078), to increase the portability of and access to retirement savings. Financial CHOICE Act of 2017 (H.R. 10). Secure, Accessible, Valuable, Efficient Universal Pension Accounts (SAVE UPs) Act. Retirement Enhancement and Savings Act of 2016 (S.3471). Sen. Wyden Discussion Draft on Retirement Savings and IRAs. Affordable Retirement Advice for Savers Act (H.R. 2823). Affordable Retirement Advice Protection Act (S. 1321). The PROSPERS Act (S.1035/H.R. 2523). Lifetime Income Disclosure Act (LIDA) (H.R. 2055/S. 868). Savings Enhancement by Alleviating Leakage in 401(k) Savings Act (H.R. 2030). The Protecting Advice for Small Savers (PASS) Act of 2017 (H.R. 3857). The Make America Secure and Prosperous Appropriations Act (H.R. 3354). The FY 2018 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education (LHHS) funding bill (H.R. 3358). The FY 2018 House Budget Resolution (H.R. Con. Res. 71). The FY 2018 Senate Budget Resolution.
Client expense: $140,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Labor, Dept of (DOL), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), Treasury, Dept of
2017 · second_quarter · Retirement
Legislation and rulemaking affecting annuities, variable life products and retirement savings including Trump Administration and Congressional proposals on tax reform. A bill to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to require disclosure of lifetime income equivalents (H.R. 2055, S.868). Proposals at the Department of Treasury for increasing Americans' access to guaranteed lifetime income solutions. Proposals at the Department of Labor for increasing Americans' access to guaranteed lifetime income solutions. Department of Labor rule to expand the scope of persons and entities that would be considered a fiduciary under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. Securities and Exchange Commission proposed rule to expand the scope of persons and entities that would be considered a fiduciary under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. Automatic IRA Act of 2015 (114th Cong., H.R. 506), legislation that Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) require certain employers who do not maintain qualified retirement plans or arrangements to make available to their eligible employees a payroll deposit individual retirement account (IRA) arrangement (automatic IRA arrangement) which grants such employees the right to opt-out of participation. Retirement Plan Simplification and Enhancement Act of 2013 (113th Cong.), legislation to improve the rules governing lifetime income products and other retirement savings vehicles. Retirement Security Act of 2015 (H.R. 557, S.266), expand the ability of Americans to better save for their retirement and would encourage the use of private multiple employer plans. Department of Labor rules for states to create retirement savings programs. The Retail Investor Protection Act (H.R. 1090, S.2497), DOL fiduciary rulemaking. The Retirement Choice Protection Act (H.R. 3922), DOL fiduciary rulemaking. The SAVERS Act (H.R. 4294, S.2505), DOL fiduciary rulemaking. The SAVE Act (H.R. 4067), improve existing SIMPLE IRA and SIMPLE 401(k) retirement plans to make it easier for small businesses to offer savings plans to their employees. Womens Pension Protection Act (S.2110), strengthen consumer protections to safeguard retirement savings, improve access to retirement savings plans for long-term, part-time workers - the majority of whom are women - and help increase womens financial literacy. The Senior Safe Act of 2017 (S.223), clarify existing laws to allow and encourage financial service representatives at banks and credit unions, investment advisors, and broker-dealers to report suspected financial fraud targeting seniors to regulators, law enforcement, or adult protective service agencies. The Receiving Electronic Statements to Improve Retiree Earnings Act (H.R. 2656), amends ERISA of 1974 and IRC of 1986 to provide for electronic delivery of pension plan information. The Retirement Savings Lost and Found Act of 2016 (S.3078), to increase the portability of and access to retirement savings. Financial CHOICE Act of 2017 (H.R. 10). Secure, Accessible, Valuable, Efficient Universal Pension Accounts (SAVE UPs) Act. Retirement Enhancement and Savings Act of 2016 (S.3471). Sen. Wyden Discussion Draft on Retirement Savings and IRAs. Affordable Retirement Advice for Savers Act (H.R. 2823). Affordable Retirement Advice Protection Act (S. 1321). The PROSPERS Act (S.1035/H.R. 2523). House Labor-HHS-Education and Related Agencies FY 2018 Appropriations Bill. Lifetime Income Disclosure Act (LIDA) (H.R. 2055/S. 868). Savings Enhancement by Alleviating Leakage in 401(k) Savings Act (H.R. 2030).
2017 · first_quarter · Retirement
RET - First Quarter Report - 2017 Public Law No. 111-148 - The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Issue: Assessments under state-based insurance exchanges. Public Law No: 114-254 - Further Continuing and Security Assistance Appropriations Act. Section 172, regarding funding to address the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) hearing backlog for FY17 expires April 28, 2017. Issue: disability insurance H.R. 506/ S. 245 - Automatic IRA Act of 2015. Issue: retirement security H.R. 557/ S. 266 - Retirement Security Act of 2015. Issue: retirement security H.R. 2317/ S. 1317 - Lifetime Income Disclosure Act. Issue: lifetime income illustration H.R. 2656 - The Receiving Electronic Statements to Improve Retiree Earnings Act. Issue: electronic disclosure of retirement plan notices. H.R. 4067 - SAVE Act of 2015. Issue: retirement security H.R. 6396 - the Retirement Security for American Workers Act. Issue: expanding retirement savings plans. H.R. ___/S.___ Draft legislation amending Affordable Care Act provisions on health exchange assessments. Issue: Health Exchange Assessments H.R.____/S._____ FY17 appropriations beyond April 28, Maintain Section 172 of Further Continuing and Security Assistance Appropriations Act regarding funding to address the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) hearing backlog. Issue: disability insurance H.R.____/S._____ Draft legislation to expand Section 125 cafeteria plans. Issue: expanding long term care insurance. H.R. ____/S._____ Draft legislation to initiate Congressional Review Act process to repeal Department of Labor rule affecting disability insurance claims process. Issue: Disability insurance. H.R. ___/S.___ Draft legislation on tax treatment and consumer financing for long-term care insurance. Issue: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) hearing decision backlog S. 3471 Retirement Enhancement and Savings Act of 2016. Issue: expanding retirement savings plans. Retirement Improvements and Savings Enhancement Act Discussion Draft House GOP Blueprint on Tax Reform
2017 · first_quarter · Retirement
H.R. 506/ S. 245: Automatic IRA Act of 2015. Issue: retirement security H.R. 557/ S. 266: Retirement Security Act of 2015. Issue: retirement security Pub.L. 111-148-The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Issue: Assessments under state-based insurance exchanges. H.R. 2656 - The Receiving Electronic Statements to Improve Retiree Earnings Act. Issue: electronic disclosure of retirement plan notices. HR 2317/ S. 1317 - Lifetime Income Disclosure Act. Issue: lifetime income illustration H.R. ___/S.___ Draft legislation amending Affordable Care Act provisions on health exchange assessments. Issue: Health Exchange Assessments Public Law No: 114-254- Further Continuing and Security Assistance Appropriations Act. Section 172, regarding funding to address the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) hearing backlog for FY17 expires April 28, 2017. Issue: disability insurance H.R.____/S._____ FY17 appropriations beyond April 28, Maintain Section 172 of Further Continuing and Security Assistance Appropriations Act regarding funding to address the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) hearing backlog. Issue: disability insurance HR 4067 - SAVE Act of 2015. Issue: retirement security H.R. ___/S.___ Draft legislation on tax treatment and consumer financing for long-term care insurance. Issue: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) hearing decision backlog Retirement Improvements and Savings Enhancement Act Discussion Draft House GOP Blueprint on Tax Reform S. 3471 Retirement Enhancement and Savings Act of 2016. Issue: expanding retirement savings plans. H.R. 6396 - the Retirement Security for American Workers Act. Issue: expanding retirement savings plans. H.R.____/S._____ Draft legislation to expand Section 125 cafeteria plans. Issue: expanding long term care insurance. H.R. ____/S._____ Draft legislation to initiate Congressional Review Act process to repeal Department of Labor rule affecting disability insurance claims process. Issue: Disability insurance. H.R.1688/S.695 Form 5500 to allow employers and sole-proprietors participating in similar retirement plans to file a single, aggregated Form 5500 which is an annual return that provides compliance information to the two regulators.
2017 · first_quarter · Retirement
Legislation and rulemaking affecting annuities, variable life products and retirement savings including Trump Administration and Congressional proposals on tax reform. A bill to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to require disclosure of lifetime income equivalents (H.R. 2055, S.868). Proposals at the Department of Treasury for increasing Americans' access to guaranteed lifetime income solutions. Proposals at the Department of Labor for increasing Americans' access to guaranteed lifetime income solutions. Department of Labor rule to expand the scope of persons and entities that would be considered a fiduciary under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. Department of Labor rule - Savings Arrangements Established by Qualified State Political Subdivisions for Non-Governmental Employees (29 CFR Part 2510 - RIN 1210-AB76). Department of Labor rule - Savings Arrangements Established by States for Non-Governmental Employees (29 CFR Part 2510 - RIN 1210-AB71). Securities and Exchange Commission proposed rule to expand the scope of persons and entities that would be considered a fiduciary under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. H.J. Res. 66 - Disapproving the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to savings arrangements established by States for non-governmental employees. H.J. Res. 67 - Disapproving the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to savings arrangements established by qualified State political subdivisions for non-governmental employees. Automatic IRA Act of 2015 (114th Cong., H.R. 506), legislation that Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) require certain employers who do not maintain qualified retirement plans or arrangements to make available to their eligible employees a payroll deposit individual retirement account (IRA) arrangement (automatic IRA arrangement) which grants such employees the right to opt-out of participation. Retirement Plan Simplification and Enhancement Act of 2013 (113th Cong.), legislation to improve the rules governing lifetime income products and other retirement savings vehicles. Retirement Security Act of 2015 (H.R. 557, S.266), expand the ability of Americans to better save for their retirement and would encourage the use of private multiple employer plans. Department of Labor rules for states to create retirement savings programs. The Retail Investor Protection Act (H.R. 1090, S.2497), DOL fiduciary rulemaking. The Retirement Choice Protection Act (H.R. 3922), DOL fiduciary rulemaking. The Affordable Retirement Advice Protection Act (H.R. 4293, S.2502), DOL fiduciary rulemaking. The SAVERS Act (H.R. 4294, S.2505), DOL fiduciary rulemaking. The Consolidated Omnibus Appropriations Act (H.R. 2029), DOL fiduciary rulemaking. The SAVE Act (H.R. 4067), improve existing SIMPLE IRA and SIMPLE 401(k) retirement plans to make it easier for small businesses to offer savings plans to their employees. Womens Pension Protection Act (S.2110), strengthen consumer protections to safeguard retirement savings, improve access to retirement savings plans for long-term, part-time workers - the majority of whom are women - and help increase womens financial literacy. The Senior Safe Act of 2017 (S.223), clarify existing laws to allow and encourage financial service representatives at banks and credit unions, investment advisors, and broker-dealers to report suspected financial fraud targeting seniors to regulators, law enforcement, or adult protective service agencies. The Receiving Electronic Statements to Improve Retiree Earnings Act (H.R. 2656), amends ERISA of 1974 and IRC of 1986 to provide for electronic delivery of pension plan information. The Retirement Savings Lost and Found Act of 2016 (S.3078), to increase the portability of and access to retirement savings. Financial CHOICE Act of 2016 (H.R. 5983). Secure, Accessible, Valuable, Efficient Universal Pension Accounts (SAVE UPs) Act. Retirement Enhancement and Savings Act of 2016 (S.3471). Sen. Wyden Discussion Draft on Retirement Savings and IRAs.
Client expense: $110,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Labor, Dept of (DOL), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), Treasury, Dept of
Client expense: $1,030,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
Client expense: $530,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
Client expense: $100,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Labor, Dept of (DOL), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), Treasury, Dept of
2017 · first_quarter · Retirement
H.R. 506/ S. 245: Automatic IRA Act of 2015. Issue: retirement security H.R. 557/ S. 266: Retirement Security Act of 2015. Issue: retirement security Pub.L. 111-148-The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Issue: Assessments under state-based insurance exchanges. H.R. 2656 - The Receiving Electronic Statements to Improve Retiree Earnings Act. Issue: electronic disclosure of retirement plan notices. HR 2317/ S. 1317 - Lifetime Income Disclosure Act. Issue: lifetime income illustration H.R. ___/S.___ Draft legislation amending Affordable Care Act provisions on health exchange assessments. Issue: Health Exchange Assessments Public Law No: 114-254- Further Continuing and Security Assistance Appropriations Act. Section 172, regarding funding to address the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) hearing backlog for FY17 expires April 28, 2017. Issue: disability insurance H.R.____/S._____ FY17 appropriations beyond April 28, Maintain Section 172 of Further Continuing and Security Assistance Appropriations Act regarding funding to address the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) hearing backlog. Issue: disability insurance HR 4067 - SAVE Act of 2015. Issue: retirement security H.R. ___/S.___ Draft legislation on tax treatment and consumer financing for long-term care insurance. Issue: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) hearing decision backlog Retirement Improvements and Savings Enhancement Act Discussion Draft House GOP Blueprint on Tax Reform S. 3471 Retirement Enhancement and Savings Act of 2016. Issue: expanding retirement savings plans. H.R. 6396 - the Retirement Security for American Workers Act. Issue: expanding retirement savings plans. H.R.____/S._____ Draft legislation to expand Section 125 cafeteria plans. Issue: expanding long term care insurance. H.R. ____/S._____ Draft legislation to initiate Congressional Review Act process to repeal Department of Labor rule affecting disability insurance claims process. Issue: Disability insurance.
Client expense: $948,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
2016 · fourth_quarter · Retirement
H.R. 1713 - Student Loan Repayment Assistance Act of 2015 (Expands Section 127 of IRC.) H.R. 3861 - Employer Participation in Student Loan Assistance Act (Expands Sec. 127 of IRC.) H.R. 4363 - Student Tax Affordability and Relief Act (Expands Sec. 127 of IRC.) H.R. 4867 - Working Families Relief Act (Expands Sec. 127 of IRC.) H.R. 4955 - Pension and Budget Integrity Act of 2016 (PBGC Budget legislation.) H.R. 5191 - Higher Education Loan Payments (HELP) for Students and Parents Act (Expands Sec. 127 of the IRC.) Senate Bill - Pension and Budget Integrity Act of 2016 (PBGC Budget legislation.) S. 245 & H.R. 506 - Automatic IRA Act of 2015 (Auto enroll employees in an IRA.) S. 266 & H.R. 557 - Retirement Security Act of 2015 (Design flexibility in multi-employer pension plans.) S. 2502 & H.R. 4293 - Affordable Retirement Advice Protection Act (Response to DOL Fiduciary Rule.) S. 2505 & H.R. 4294 - Strengthening Access to Valuable Education and Retirement Support Act (Response to DOL Fiduciary Rule.) S. 3240 - Pension and Budget Integrity Act of 2016 (PBGC Budget legislation.) Definition of 'Fiduciary' - DOL Multi-Employer Pension Reform Legislation - House and Senate Pension Non-Discrimination Meetings - House and Senate Tax Reform & Retirement Security Task Force- House and Senate Tax Credits for Child Care (To allow families to deduct the costs of child care from their income taxes.) - House
Client expense: $328,177 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Labor Relations Board (NLRB), SENATE, Small Business Administration (SBA), Treasury, Dept of, White House Office
2016 · first_quarter · Retirement
H.R. 4955 - Pension and Budget Integrity Act of 2016 (PBGC Budget Legislation) S. 245 & H.R. 506 - Automatic IRA Act of 2015 (Auto enroll employees in an IRA.) S. 266 & H.R. 557 - Retirement Security Act of 2015 (Design flexibility in multi-employer pension plans.) S. 2502 & H.R. 4293 - Affordable Retirement Advice Protection Act (Response to DOL Fiduciary Rule.) S. 2505 & H.R. 4294 - Strengthening Access to Valuable Education and Retirement Support Act (Response to DOL Fiduciary Rule.) Definition of 'Fiduciary' - DOL Multi-Employer Pension Reform Legislation - House and Senate Pension Non-Discrimination Meetings - House and Senate Retirement Savings through MYRA - White House Tax Reform & Retirement Security - House
Client expense: $462,495 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Labor Relations Board (NLRB), SENATE, Small Business Administration (SBA), Treasury, Dept of, White House Office
2016 · first_quarter · Retirement
H.R. 4955 - Pension and Budget Integrity Act of 2016 (PBGC Budget Legislation) S. 245 & H.R. 506 - Automatic IRA Act of 2015 (Auto enroll employees in an IRA.) S. 266 & H.R. 557 - Retirement Security Act of 2015 (Design flexibility in multi-employer pension plans.) S. 2502 & H.R. 4293 - Affordable Retirement Advice Protection Act (Response to DOL Fiduciary Rule.) S. 2505 & H.R. 4294 - Strengthening Access to Valuable Education and Retirement Support Act (Response to DOL Fiduciary Rule.) Definition of 'Fiduciary' - DOL Multi-Employer Pension Reform Legislation - House and Senate Pension Non-Discrimination Meetings - House and Senate Retirement Savings through MYRA - White House Tax Reform & Retirement Security - House
Client expense: $462,495 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Labor Relations Board (NLRB), SENATE, Small Business Administration (SBA), Treasury, Dept of, White House Office
2016 · second_quarter · Retirement
H.R. 1713 - Student Loan Repayment Assistance Act of 2015 (Expands Section 127 of IRC) H.R. 3861 - Employer Participation in Student Loan Assistance Act (Expands Sec. 127 of IRC) H.R. 4363 - Student Tax Affordability and Relief Act (Expands Sec. 127 of IRC) H.R. 4867 - Working Families Relief Act (Expands Sec. 127 of IRC) H.R. 4955 - Pension and Budget Integrity Act of 2016 (PBGC Budget Legislation) H.R. 5191 - Higher Education Loan Payments (HELP) for Students and Parents Act (Expands Sec. 127 of the IRC) Senate Bill - Pension and Budget Integrity Act of 2016 (PBGC Budget Legislation) S. 245 & H.R. 506 - Automatic IRA Act of 2015 (Auto enroll employees in an IRA.) S. 266 & H.R. 557 - Retirement Security Act of 2015 (Design flexibility in multi-employer pension plans.) S. 2502 & H.R. 4293 - Affordable Retirement Advice Protection Act (Response to DOL Fiduciary Rule.) S. 2505 & H.R. 4294 - Strengthening Access to Valuable Education and Retirement Support Act (Response to DOL Fiduciary Rule.) Definition of 'Fiduciary' - DOL Multi-Employer Pension Reform Legislation - House and Senate Pension Non-Discrimination Meetings - House and Senate Retirement Savings through MYRA - White House Tax Reform & Retirement Security Task Force- House and Senate
Client expense: $722,598 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Labor Relations Board (NLRB), SENATE, Small Business Administration (SBA), Treasury, Dept of, White House Office
2016 · fourth_quarter · Retirement
S. 1270, "SAFE Retirement Act of 2013". S. 1317, "Lifetime Income Disclosure Act". S. 1970, "The Retirement Security Act of 2014". S. 1557, "Automatic IRA Act", a bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code to promote and simplify Qualified Plans. S. 3417, "Receiving Electronic Statements To Improve Retiree Earnings Act (RETIRE) Act." S. 3471, the Retirement Enhancement and Savings Act of 2016. H.R. 1, A proposal relating to Tax Reform released by Chairman David Camp of the House Ways and Means Committee (2013). H.R. 506, "Automatic IRA Act of 2015" - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require certain employers who do not maintain qualifying retirement plans or arrangements to make available to their eligible employees a payroll deposit individual retirement account (IRA) arrangement. H.R. 1534, "Small Business Add Value for Employees Act". H.R. 2117, "Retirement Plan Simplification and Enhancement Act of 2013". H.R. 2317, "Lifetime Income Disclosure Act". H.R. 2656, "Receiving Electronic Statements To Improve Retiree Earnings Act (RETIRE) Act." H.R. 4294 - SAVERS Act of 2015 Dept. of Labor, final rule adding Section 2520.104(b)-1(c), Electronic Distribution of Disclosures Required by Title 1 of ERISA, 75 FR 19285 (4/7/11). Dept. of Labor, final rule amending Sections 2509, 2510 and 2550 - Definition of term "fiduciary", conflict of interest rule - retirement investment advice,(4/8/2016). Dept. of Labor proposed rule amending Section 2550.404a-4, Selection of Insurers to provide guaranteed retirement income- safe harbor for individual account plans. No bill number - the Retirement Improvements and Savings Enhancements Act of 2016, a proposal.
Client expense: $450,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), Federal Reserve System, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Labor, Dept of (DOL), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), Treasury, Dept of
Retirement Security as in the following bills: S324 - Shrinking Emergency Account Losses Act of 2015 (SEAL Act) HR506/S245 - Automatic IRA Act of 2015 HR557/S266 - Retirement Security Act of 2015 HR2317/S1317 - Lifetime Income Disclosure Act of 2015 HR2656 - Receiving Electronic Statements to Improve Retiree Earnings (RETIRE) Act of 2015 S3025 - Graduate Student Savings Act of 2016 S3417 - Receiving Electronic Statements to Improve Retiree Earnings (RETIRE) Act of 2016 Retirement Enhancement and Savings Act (RESA) of 2016 Retirement Improvements and Savings Enhancements (RISE) Act DOL & SEC Fiduciary Proposals (DOL Fiduciary Definition Regulation/SEC Project to Harmonize Broker-Dealer Fiduciary Standards) as in the following bills: HR1090 - Retail Investor Protection Act of 2015 HR4294 - Strengthening Access to Valuable Education and Retirement Support (SAVERS) Act HR4293 - Affordable Retirement Advice Act Providing Lifetime Income Illustrations on Retirement Benefit Statements Tax Benefits of Defined Contribution Plans Defined Contribution Retirement Plan Design and Modernization Fiduciary Concerns Related to Advice and Education in Retirement Plans Stretch IRA Electronic Delivery of Plan Documents Retirement Plan Consolidation Tax Reform as it relates to retirement plans Qualified Default Investment Alternatives (QDIA) Safe Harbor for Plan Sponsors Including Annuity Providers on Plan Menus Retirement Plan Fees
Client expense: $370,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Economic Council (NEC), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), Treasury, Dept of
2016 · fourth_quarter · Retirement
H.R. 506/ S. 245: Automatic IRA Act of 2015. Issue: retirement security H.R. 557/ S. 266: Retirement Security Act of 2014. Issue: retirement security H.R. 3590-The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Issue: Assessments under state-based insurance exchanges. H.R. 2656 - The Receiving Electronic Statements to Improve Retiree Earnings Act. Issue: electronic disclosure of retirement plan notices. HR 2317/ S. 1317 - Lifetime Income Disclosure Act. Issue: lifetime income illustration S. Amendment 2761 to H.R. 1314-Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015. To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to reduce the payroll tax for self-employed individuals enrolled in a private disability insurance plan, and for employers that provide such plans to their employees. Issue: disability insurance. H.R. ___/S.___ Draft legislation amending Affordable Care Act provisions on health exchange assessments. Issue: Health Exchange Assessments H.R.___/S.___Draft legislation to facilitate disability income insurance options for employees. Issue: Disability income insurance. H.R. 3922 - Retirement Choice Protection Act. Issue: Department of Labors proposed fiduciary rule H.R. 4294 - SAVERS Act. Issue: Department of Labors proposed fiduciary rule H.R. 4293 - Affordable Retirement Advice Protection Act. Issue: Department of Labors proposed fiduciary rule H.R. 4067 - SAVE Act of 2015. Issue: retirement security H.R. ___/S.___ Draft legislation on tax treatment and consumer financing for long-term care insurance. Issue: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) hearing decision backlog S. 3307/HR 6402 - Bill to avoid duplicate annual reporting on Form 5500 H.R. 6396 - Retirement Security for American Workers Act. Issue: multiple employer plans No bill number assigned: Retirement Enhancement and Savings Act of 2016 (passed by Senate Finance Committee on 9/21/16) Retirement Improvements and Savings Enhancement Act Discussion Draft House GOP Blueprint on Tax Reform
Client expense: $500,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
2016 · fourth_quarter · Retirement
Issues related to retirement security including: retirement plan standards, savings initiatives, the DOL fiduciary definition reproposal, lifetime income opportunities and public pension reform. S 266 / HR 557 Retirement Security Act of 2015. Issue: retirement security. S 245 / HR 506 Automatic IRA Act of 2015. Issue: retirement security. HR 3590 The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Issue: assessments under state-based insurance exchanges. HR 2656 The Receiving Electronic Statements to Improve Retiree Earnings Act. Issue: electronic disclosure of retirement plan notices. S 1317 / HR 2317 Lifetime Income Disclosure Act. Issue: lifetime income illustration. Draft legislation amending Affordable Care Act provisions on health exchange assessments. Draft legislation to facilitate disability income insurance options for employees. S 2505 / HR 4294 SAVERS Act of 2015. HR 4067 SAVE Act of 2015. No bill number: Retirement Enhancement and Savings Act of 2016. Retirement Improvements and Savings Enhancement Act Discussion Draft. House GOP Blueprint on Tax Reform. Issue: retirement security.
Client expense: $250,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
2016 · fourth_quarter · Retirement
H.R. 506, S. 245, S. 266, H.R. 557, S. 3471 - Multiple Small Employer Plans - issues relating to MEPs/MSEPs H.R. 2317, S. 1317, S. 3471 - Lifetime Income Disclosure & Regulatory Issues - all provisions H.R. 506 - Automatic IRA - all Provisions No Bill # - Proposed DOL Fiduciary Regulations - all provisions N/A - GMWB Interpretive Issues in terms of possible guidance No Bill # - Electronic Disclosure - ERISA/Internal Revenue Code - issues/provisions relating to the use of electronic disclosure by employee benefit plans N/A - Issues relating to DOL Safe Harbor for Selection of Annuity Providers S. 3471 - Issues relating to Annuity Selection Safe Harbor N/A - Issues relating to target date funds disclosures N/A - Issues relating to guide/index for ERISA 408b-2 fee disclosures No Bill # - Non Cash Compensation on annuity sales
Client expense: $1,790,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Commerce, Dept of (DOC), Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Federal Reserve System, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Labor, Dept of (DOL), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), State, Dept of (DOS), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR)
2016 · fourth_quarter · Retirement
S. 245, Automatic IRA Act of 2015 S. 324, SEAL Act S. 266, Retirement Security Act of 2015 - S. 1317 Lifetime Income Disclosure Act - S. 2110 - Womans Pension Protection Act of 2015 S. 2492 - Encouraging Americans to Save Act S. 3078 - Retirement Savings Lost and Found Act of 2016 S. 3240 - Pension and Budget Integrity Act of 2016 S. 3307 - A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to avoid duplicative annual reporting, and for other purposes S. 3338 - Small Business Employee Retirement Savings Act of 2016 S. 3417 - Receiving Electronic Statements to Improve Retiree Earnings Act - S. 3471 - Retirement Enhancement and Savings Act of 2016 - H.R. 2029 - Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 - H.R. 4236 - Financial Security Credit Act of 2015 - H.R. 4294 - Strengthening Access to Valuable Education and Retirement Support Act of 2015 - H.R. 4293 - Affordable Retirement Advice Protection Act H.R. 506, Automatic IRA Act of 2015 H.R. 577, Retirement Security Act of 2015 H.R. 1090, Retail Investor Protection Act (Wagner) - H.R. 2317 Lifetime Income Disclosure Act - H.R. 2656, Receiving Electronic Statements to Improve Retiree Earnings Act - H.R. 4955 - Pension and Budget Integrity Act of 2016 - H.R. 4067 - Small Businesses Add Value for Employees (SAVE) Act of 2015 - H.R. 5731 - Secure, Accessible, Valuable, Efficient Universal Pension (SAVE UP) Accounts Act - H.R. 5805 - Retirement Savings Lost and Found Act of 2016
Client expense: $114,533 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC)
2016 · fourth_quarter · Retirement
H.R. 1713 - Student Loan Repayment Assistance Act of 2015 (Expands Section 127 of IRC.) H.R. 3861 - Employer Participation in Student Loan Assistance Act (Expands Sec. 127 of IRC.) H.R. 4363 - Student Tax Affordability and Relief Act (Expands Sec. 127 of IRC.) H.R. 4867 - Working Families Relief Act (Expands Sec. 127 of IRC.) H.R. 4955 - Pension and Budget Integrity Act of 2016 (PBGC Budget legislation.) H.R. 5191 - Higher Education Loan Payments (HELP) for Students and Parents Act (Expands Sec. 127 of the IRC.) Senate Bill - Pension and Budget Integrity Act of 2016 (PBGC Budget legislation.) S. 245 & H.R. 506 - Automatic IRA Act of 2015 (Auto enroll employees in an IRA.) S. 266 & H.R. 557 - Retirement Security Act of 2015 (Design flexibility in multi-employer pension plans.) S. 2502 & H.R. 4293 - Affordable Retirement Advice Protection Act (Response to DOL Fiduciary Rule.) S. 2505 & H.R. 4294 - Strengthening Access to Valuable Education and Retirement Support Act (Response to DOL Fiduciary Rule.) S. 3240 - Pension and Budget Integrity Act of 2016 (PBGC Budget legislation.) Definition of 'Fiduciary' - DOL Multi-Employer Pension Reform Legislation - House and Senate Pension Non-Discrimination Meetings - House and Senate Tax Reform & Retirement Security Task Force- House and Senate Tax Credits for Child Care (To allow families to deduct the costs of child care from their income taxes.) - House
Client expense: $328,177 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Labor Relations Board (NLRB), SENATE, Small Business Administration (SBA), Treasury, Dept of, White House Office
2016 · fourth_quarter · Retirement
H.R. 506 - Automatic IRA Act of 2015; entire bill H.R. 557 - Retirement Security Act of 2015; entire bill H.R. 2317 - Lifetime Income Disclosure Act; entire bill H.R. 2656 - Receiving Electronic Statements To Improve Retiree Earnings (RETIRE) Act; entire bill H.R. 4045 - USAccounts: Investing in Americas Future Act of 2015; entire bill H.R. 4293 - Affordable Retirement Advice Protection Act; entire bill H.R. 4294 - Strengthening Access to Valuable Education and Retirement Support (SAVERS) Act; entire bill H.R. 4773 - Protecting Workplace Advancement and Opportunity Act; entire bill H.R. 4538 - Senior$afe Act of 2016; entire bill H.R. 5731 - Secure, Accessible, Valuable, Efficient Universal Pension Accounts Act or SAVE UP Act; entire bill H.R. 6396 - RETIREMENT Security for American Workers Act; entire bill S. 245 - Automatic IRA Act of 2015; entire bill S. 266 - Retirement Security Act of 2015; entire bill S. 1317 - Lifetime Income Disclosure Act; entire bill S. 2216 - Senior$afe Act of 2015; entire bill S. 2472 - The American Savings Act; entire bill S. 2497 - Retail Investor Protection Act of 2016; entire bill S. 2502 - Affordable Retirement Advice Protection Act; entire bill S. 2505 - SAVERS Act; entire bill S. 2702 - ABLE to Work Act of 2016; entire bill S. 3307 - To Amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to avoid duplicative annual reporting, and for other purposes; entire bill S. 3417 -Receiving Electronic Statements To Improve Retiree Earnings Act or RETIRE Act; entire bill Appropriations bills for Department of Labor funding; provisions relating to the DOLs ERISA fiduciary regulation Not Yet Introduced: Secure Annuities for Employee Retirement Act, provisions relating to use of private annuities in retirement plans Not Yet Introduced: Draft legislation to allow new multi-employer pension plan designs
Client expense: $770,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
2016 · fourth_quarter · Retirement
Legislation and rulemaking affecting annuities, variable life products and retirement savings including Obama Administration and Congressional proposals on tax reform. Lifetime Income Disclosure Act of 2015, legislation that proposes to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to require disclosure of lifetime income equivalents (114th Cong., H.R. 2137, S.1317). Proposals at the Department of Treasury for increasing Americans' access to guaranteed lifetime income solutions. Proposals at the Department of Labor for increasing Americans' access to guaranteed lifetime income solutions. Department of Labor rule to expand the scope of persons and entities that would be considered a fiduciary under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. Department of Labor rule - Savings Arrangements Established by Qualified State Political Subdivisions for Non-Governmental Employees (29 CFR Part 2510 - RIN 1210-AB76). Department of Labor rule - Savings Arrangements Established by States for Non-Governmental Employees (29 CFR Part 2510 - RIN 1210-AB71). Securities and Exchange Commission proposed rule to expand the scope of persons and entities that would be considered a fiduciary under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. Automatic IRA Act of 2015 (114th Cong., H.R. 506), legislation that Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) require certain employers who do not maintain qualified retirement plans or arrangements to make available to their eligible employees a payroll deposit individual retirement account (IRA) arrangement (automatic IRA arrangement) which grants such employees the right to opt-out of participation. Retirement Plan Simplification and Enhancement Act of 2013 (113th Cong.), legislation to improve the rules governing lifetime income products and other retirement savings vehicles. Retirement Security Act of 2015 (H.R. 557, S.266), expand the ability of Americans to better save for their retirement and would encourage the use of private multiple employer plans. Department of Labor rules for states to create retirement savings programs. The Retail Investor Protection Act (H.R. 1090, S.2497), DOL fiduciary rulemaking. The Retirement Choice Protection Act (H.R. 3922), DOL fiduciary rulemaking. The Affordable Retirement Advice Protection Act (H.R. 4293, S.2502), DOL fiduciary rulemaking. The SAVERS Act (H.R. 4294, S.2505), DOL fiduciary rulemaking. The Consolidated Omnibus Appropriations Act (H.R. 2029), DOL fiduciary rulemaking. The SAVE Act (H.R. 4067), improve existing SIMPLE IRA and SIMPLE 401(k) retirement plans to make it easier for small businesses to offer savings plans to their employees. Womens Pension Protection Act (S.2110), strengthen consumer protections to safeguard retirement savings, improve access to retirement savings plans for long-term, part-time workers - the majority of whom are women - and help increase womens financial literacy. The Senior Safe Act (H.R. 4538, S.2216), clarify existing laws to allow and encourage financial service representatives at banks and credit unions, investment advisors, and broker-dealers to report suspected financial fraud targeting seniors to regulators, law enforcement, or adult protective service agencies. The Receiving Electronic Statements to Improve Retiree Earnings Act (H.R. 2656), amends ERISA of 1974 and IRC of 1986 to provide for electronic delivery of pension plan information. The Retirement Savings Lost and Found Act of 2016 (S.3078), to increase the portability of and access to retirement savings. Financial CHOICE Act of 2016 (H.R. 5983). Secure, Accessible, Valuable, Efficient Universal Pension Accounts (SAVE UPs) Act. Retirement Enhancement and Savings Act of 2016 (S.3471). Sen. Wyden Discussion Draft on Retirement Savings and IRAs.
Client expense: $70,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Labor, Dept of (DOL), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), Treasury, Dept of
2016 · third_quarter · Retirement
H.R.506: Automatic IRA Act of 2015- Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) require certain employers who do not maintain qualifying retirement plans or arrangements to make available to their eligible employees a payroll deposit individual retirement account (IRA) arrangement (automatic IRA arrangement) which grants such employees the right to opt-out of participation; (2) require the Secretary of the Treasury to provide employers with a model notice for notifying employees of their opportunity to participate in an automatic IRA arrangement and to provide participants with an annual statement setting forth payments, earnings, value, and other specified information; (3) impose a penalty on employers who fail to provide eligible employees access to an automatic IRA arrangement; (4) allow employers who do not have more than 100 employees a tax credit for costs associated with establishing an automatic IRA arrangement; and (5) increase the dollar limitation on the tax credit for small employer pension plan startup costs. Establishes an Automatic IRA Advisory Group to make recommendations regarding automatic IRA investment options. Requires the Secretary and the Secretary of Labor to jointly conduct feasibility studies on: (1) extending spousal consent requirements to automatic IRA arrangements; (2) automatically transferring amounts saved by employees in retirement bonds into alternative, private sector, diversified investments when employees' automatic IRA balances reach a certain dollar level; (3) using investment data to notify individuals with multiple small balance retirement accounts of consolidation options; and (4) using investment arrangements associated with automatic IRAs to assist in addressing the problem of abandoned accounts. Directs the Secretaries to prescribe administrative guidance for the use of multiple employer plans by December 31, 2015. H.R.557: Retirement Security Act of 2015- Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) prescribe final regulations to permit employers to participate in multiple employer pension benefit plans, (2) promulgate regulations or other guidance to simplify and clarify rules relating to the timing of participant notices required under tax-preferred pension plans and the automatic escalation rules, and (3) modify the 1040EZ tax return form to allow taxpayers to claim the tax credit for retirement savings (saver's credit) on such form. Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to employer pension benefit plans, to: (1) allow employers to maintain a tax-exempt multiple employer pension benefit plan even if the employers sponsoring the plan share no common interest, (2) modify requirements for secure deferral arrangements with respect to nondiscrimination and employer matching contributions, and (3) allow employers with not more than 100 employees a business-related tax credit to cover increased matching contributions required by this Act. H.R. 1090/S.2497: Retail Investor Protection Act-Prohibits the Secretary of Labor from prescribing any regulation under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) defining the circumstances under which an individual is considered a fiduciary until 60 days after the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issues a final rule governing standards of conduct for brokers and dealers under specified law. Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to prohibit the SEC from promulgating a rule establishing an investment advisor standard of conduct as the standard of conduct of brokers and dealers before it reports to certain congressional committees whether: (1) retail investors and other customers are being harmed due to brokers or dealers operating under different standards of conduct than those applicable to investment advisors under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940; (2) alternative remedies will reduce any confusion or harm to retail investors due to brokers or dealers operating under such different standards of conduct; (3) adoption of a uniform fiduciary standard of conduct for brokers or dealers and investment advisors would adversely impact their commissions and the availability of proprietary products offered by brokers and dealers, as well as the ability of brokers and dealers to engage in principal transactions with customers; and (4) adoption of a uniform fiduciary standard of conduct for brokers or dealers and investment advisors would adversely impact retail investor access to personalized, cost-effective investment advice and recommendations. Requires the SEC: (1) to publish in the Federal Register formal findings that such rule would reduce retail customer confusion or harm due to standards of conduct applicable to brokers, dealers, and investment advisors; and (2) in proposing rules to consider the differences in the registration, supervision, and examination requirements applicable to brokers, dealers, and investment advisors. H.R. 2656/S.3417 Receiving Electronic Statements To Improve Retiree Earnings Act: To amend the Employee Retirement and Income Security Act of 1974 and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for the electronic delivery of pension plan information. H.R.4293 - Affordable Retirement Advice Protection Act: to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to ensure that retirement investors receive advice in their best interests H. R. 4294 -To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to ensure that retirement investors receive advice in their best interests. Strengthening Access to Valuable Education and Retirement Support Act of 2015 H.R. 4955 - Pension and Budget Integrity Act of 2016 - to amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to exclude the receipts and disbursements of the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) from the federal budget. S.245-Automatic IRA Act of 2015: Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) require certain employers who do not maintain qualifying retirement plans or arrangements to make available to their eligible employees a payroll deposit individual retirement account (IRA) arrangement (automatic IRA arrangement) which grants such employees the right to opt-out of participation; (2) require the Secretary of the Treasury to provide employers with a model notice for notifying employees of their opportunity to participate in an automatic IRA arrangement and to provide participants with an annual statement setting forth payments, earnings, value, and other specified information; (3) impose a penalty on employers who fail to provide eligible employees access to an automatic IRA arrangement; (4) allow employers who do not have more than 100 employees a tax credit for costs associated with establishing an automatic IRA arrangement; and (5) increase the dollar limitation on the tax credit for small employer pension plan startup costs. Establishes an Automatic IRA Advisory Group to make recommendations regarding automatic IRA investment options. Requires the Secretary and the Secretary of Labor to jointly conduct feasibility studies on: (1) extending spousal consent requirements to automatic IRA arrangements; (2) automatically transferring amounts saved by employees in retirement bonds into alternative, private sector, diversified investments when employees' automatic IRA balances reach a certain dollar level; (3) using investment data to notify individuals with multiple small balance retirement accounts of consolidation options; and (4) using investment arrangements associated with automatic IRAs to assist in addressing the problem of abandoned accounts. Directs the Secretaries to prescribe administrative guidance for the use of multiple employer plans by December 31, 2015. S.266 - Retirement Security Act of 2015-Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) prescribe final regulations to permit employers to participate in multiple employer pension benefit plans, (2) promulgate regulations or other guidance to simplify and clarify rules relating to the timing of participant notices required under tax-preferred pension plans and the automatic escalation rules, and (3) modify the 1040EZ tax return form to allow taxpayers to claim the tax credit for retirement savings (saver's credit) on such form. Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to employer pension benefit plans, to: (1) allow employers to maintain a tax-exempt multiple employer pension benefit plan even if the employers sponsoring the plan share no common interest, (2) modify requirements for secure deferral arrangements with respect to nondiscrimination and employer matching contributions, and (3) allow employers with not more than 100 employees a business-related tax credit to cover increased matching contributions required by this Act. S.324: Shrinking Emergency Account Losses Act of 2015 or the SEAL Act-Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to loans made from a qualified employer pension plan, to: (1) extend the period for repayment of loans if a plan terminates or a plan participant becomes unemployed, and (2) prohibit plans from allowing the use of credit cards or similar arrangements to access loan amounts. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to modify regulations governing hardship distributions from qualified employer pension plans to allow participants to make additional contributions to a plan during the six month period following a hardship distribution. S.2502: Affordable Retirement Advice Protection Act This bill amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to define "investment advice," as it relates to fiduciary duties under such Act, as a recommendation that relates to: (1) the advisability of acquiring, holding, disposing, or exchanging any moneys or other property of a pension plan (or Individual Retirement Account) by the plan, plan participants, or plan beneficiaries, including any recommendation regarding whether to take a distribution of benefits from the plan or any recommendation relating to a rollover or distribution from such plan; (2) the management of moneys or other property of the plan, including recommendations relating to the management of plan assets to be rolled over or otherwise distributed from the plan; or (3) the advisability of retaining or ceasing to retain a person who would receive a fee or other compensation for providing investment advice. Investment advice must be rendered pursuant to either: (1) a written acknowledgment of the obligation of the investment advisor to act in accordance with fiduciary standards under ERISA; or (2) a mutual agreement, arrangement, or understanding that may include limitations on scope, timing, and responsibility to provide ongoing monitoring or advice services. The bill allows an exemption from ERISA prohibited transactions rules for investment advice: (1) for which no more than reasonable compensation is paid; or (2) that is based on a limited range of investment options or may result in variable income to the investment advisor if a clearly-stated notice is provided to the advice recipient that the same or similar investments may be available at a greater or lesser cost from other sources. The bill prohibits the Department of Labor from amending any rules or administrative positions regarding investment advice promulgated under ERISA and no such rules or administrative positions promulgated prior to the enactment date of this Act, but not effective on January 1, 2015, may become effective unless a bill or joint resolution specifically approving such rules or positions is enacted not later than 60 days after the enactment of this Act. S.3240: Pension and Budget Integrity Act of 2016 - This bill prohibits provisions that increase or extend an increase of Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) premiums from being counted as an offset to determine budget points of order for legislation in the House or the Senate. The Retirement Enhancement and Savings Act of 2016: included broad retirement-related benefits, such as enhancements to 401(k) plans, MEPs, a repeal of the maximum age for individual retirement account (IRA) contributions, and a start-up credit for small employer plans.
Client expense: $504,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
2016 · fourth_quarter · Retirement
H.R.506: Automatic IRA Act of 2015- Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) require certain employers who do not maintain qualifying retirement plans or arrangements to make available to their eligible employees a payroll deposit individual retirement account (IRA) arrangement (automatic IRA arrangement) which grants such employees the right to opt-out of participation; (2) require the Secretary of the Treasury to provide employers with a model notice for notifying employees of their opportunity to participate in an automatic IRA arrangement and to provide participants with an annual statement setting forth payments, earnings, value, and other specified information; (3) impose a penalty on employers who fail to provide eligible employees access to an automatic IRA arrangement; (4) allow employers who do not have more than 100 employees a tax credit for costs associated with establishing an automatic IRA arrangement; and (5) increase the dollar limitation on the tax credit for small employer pension plan startup costs. Establishes an Automatic IRA Advisory Group to make recommendations regarding automatic IRA investment options. Requires the Secretary and the Secretary of Labor to jointly conduct feasibility studies on: (1) extending spousal consent requirements to automatic IRA arrangements; (2) automatically transferring amounts saved by employees in retirement bonds into alternative, private sector, diversified investments when employees' automatic IRA balances reach a certain dollar level; (3) using investment data to notify individuals with multiple small balance retirement accounts of consolidation options; and (4) using investment arrangements associated with automatic IRAs to assist in addressing the problem of abandoned accounts. Directs the Secretaries to prescribe administrative guidance for the use of multiple employer plans by December 31, 2015. H.R.557: Retirement Security Act of 2015- Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) prescribe final regulations to permit employers to participate in multiple employer pension benefit plans, (2) promulgate regulations or other guidance to simplify and clarify rules relating to the timing of participant notices required under tax-preferred pension plans and the automatic escalation rules, and (3) modify the 1040EZ tax return form to allow taxpayers to claim the tax credit for retirement savings (saver's credit) on such form. Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to employer pension benefit plans, to: (1) allow employers to maintain a tax-exempt multiple employer pension benefit plan even if the employers sponsoring the plan share no common interest, (2) modify requirements for secure deferral arrangements with respect to nondiscrimination and employer matching contributions, and (3) allow employers with not more than 100 employees a business-related tax credit to cover increased matching contributions required by this Act. H.R. 1090/S.2497: Retail Investor Protection Act-Prohibits the Secretary of Labor from prescribing any regulation under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) defining the circumstances under which an individual is considered a fiduciary until 60 days after the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issues a final rule governing standards of conduct for brokers and dealers under specified law. Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to prohibit the SEC from promulgating a rule establishing an investment advisor standard of conduct as the standard of conduct of brokers and dealers before it reports to certain congressional committees whether: (1) retail investors and other customers are being harmed due to brokers or dealers operating under different standards of conduct than those applicable to investment advisors under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940; (2) alternative remedies will reduce any confusion or harm to retail investors due to brokers or dealers operating under such different standards of conduct; (3) adoption of a uniform fiduciary standard of conduct for brokers or dealers and investment advisors would adversely impact their commissions and the availability of proprietary products offered by brokers and dealers, as well as the ability of brokers and dealers to engage in principal transactions with customers; and (4) adoption of a uniform fiduciary standard of conduct for brokers or dealers and investment advisors would adversely impact retail investor access to personalized, cost-effective investment advice and recommendations. Requires the SEC: (1) to publish in the Federal Register formal findings that such rule would reduce retail customer confusion or harm due to standards of conduct applicable to brokers, dealers, and investment advisors; and (2) in proposing rules to consider the differences in the registration, supervision, and examination requirements applicable to brokers, dealers, and investment advisors. H.R. 2656/S.3417 Receiving Electronic Statements To Improve Retiree Earnings Act: To amend the Employee Retirement and Income Security Act of 1974 and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for the electronic delivery of pension plan information. H.R.4293 - Affordable Retirement Advice Protection Act: to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to ensure that retirement investors receive advice in their best interests H. R. 4294 -To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to ensure that retirement investors receive advice in their best interests. Strengthening Access to Valuable Education and Retirement Support Act of 2015 H.R. 4955 - Pension and Budget Integrity Act of 2016 - to amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to exclude the receipts and disbursements of the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) from the federal budget. H.R. 5731 - Secure, Accessible, Valuable, Efficient Universal Pension Accounts (SAVE UPs) Act would universalize retirement savings accounts so every American worker would have an opportunity to generate tax-advantaged assets. H.R.6396 - Retirement Security for American Workers Act, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to modify the qualification requirements with respect to certain multiple employer plans with pooled plan providers. S.245-Automatic IRA Act of 2015: Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) require certain employers who do not maintain qualifying retirement plans or arrangements to make available to their eligible employees a payroll deposit individual retirement account (IRA) arrangement (automatic IRA arrangement) which grants such employees the right to opt-out of participation; (2) require the Secretary of the Treasury to provide employers with a model notice for notifying employees of their opportunity to participate in an automatic IRA arrangement and to provide participants with an annual statement setting forth payments, earnings, value, and other specified information; (3) impose a penalty on employers who fail to provide eligible employees access to an automatic IRA arrangement; (4) allow employers who do not have more than 100 employees a tax credit for costs associated with establishing an automatic IRA arrangement; and (5) increase the dollar limitation on the tax credit for small employer pension plan startup costs. Establishes an Automatic IRA Advisory Group to make recommendations regarding automatic IRA investment options. Requires the Secretary and the Secretary of Labor to jointly conduct feasibility studies on: (1) extending spousal consent requirements to automatic IRA arrangements; (2) automatically transferring amounts saved by employees in retirement bonds into alternative, private sector, diversified investments when employees' automatic IRA balances reach a certain dollar level; (3) using investment data to notify individuals with multiple small balance retirement accounts of consolidation options; and (4) using investment arrangements associated with automatic IRAs to assist in addressing the problem of abandoned accounts. Directs the Secretaries to prescribe administrative guidance for the use of multiple employer plans by December 31, 2015. S.266 - Retirement Security Act of 2015-Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) prescribe final regulations to permit employers to participate in multiple employer pension benefit plans, (2) promulgate regulations or other guidance to simplify and clarify rules relating to the timing of participant notices required under tax-preferred pension plans and the automatic escalation rules, and (3) modify the 1040EZ tax return form to allow taxpayers to claim the tax credit for retirement savings (saver's credit) on such form. Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to employer pension benefit plans, to: (1) allow employers to maintain a tax-exempt multiple employer pension benefit plan even if the employers sponsoring the plan share no common interest, (2) modify requirements for secure deferral arrangements with respect to nondiscrimination and employer matching contributions, and (3) allow employers with not more than 100 employees a business-related tax credit to cover increased matching contributions required by this Act. S.324: Shrinking Emergency Account Losses Act of 2015 or the SEAL Act-Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to loans made from a qualified employer pension plan, to: (1) extend the period for repayment of loans if a plan terminates or a plan participant becomes unemployed, and (2) prohibit plans from allowing the use of credit cards or similar arrangements to access loan amounts. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to modify regulations governing hardship distributions from qualified employer pension plans to allow participants to make additional contributions to a plan during the six month period following a hardship distribution. S.2502: Affordable Retirement Advice Protection Act This bill amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to define "investment advice," as it relates to fiduciary duties under such Act, as a recommendation that relates to: (1) the advisability of acquiring, holding, disposing, or exchanging any moneys or other property of a pension plan (or Individual Retirement Account) by the plan, plan participants, or plan beneficiaries, including any recommendation regarding whether to take a distribution of benefits from the plan or any recommendation relating to a rollover or distribution from such plan; (2) the management of moneys or other property of the plan, including recommendations relating to the management of plan assets to be rolled over or otherwise distributed from the plan; or (3) the advisability of retaining or ceasing to retain a person who would receive a fee or other compensation for providing investment advice. Investment advice must be rendered pursuant to either: (1) a written acknowledgment of the obligation of the investment advisor to act in accordance with fiduciary standards under ERISA; or (2) a mutual agreement, arrangement, or understanding that may include limitations on scope, timing, and responsibility to provide ongoing monitoring or advice services. The bill allows an exemption from ERISA prohibited transactions rules for investment advice: (1) for which no more than reasonable compensation is paid; or (2) that is based on a limited range of investment options or may result in variable income to the investment advisor if a clearly-stated notice is provided to the advice recipient that the same or similar investments may be available at a greater or lesser cost from other sources. The bill prohibits the Department of Labor from amending any rules or administrative positions regarding investment advice promulgated under ERISA and no such rules or administrative positions promulgated prior to the enactment date of this Act, but not effective on January 1, 2015, may become effective unless a bill or joint resolution specifically approving such rules or positions is enacted not later than 60 days after the enactment of this Act. S.3240: Pension and Budget Integrity Act of 2016 - This bill prohibits provisions that increase or extend an increase of Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) premiums from being counted as an offset to determine budget points of order for legislation in the House or the Senate. The Retirement Enhancement and Savings Act of 2016: included broad retirement-related benefits, such as enhancements to 401(k) plans, MEPs, a repeal of the maximum age for individual retirement account (IRA) contributions, and a start-up credit for small employer plans.
Client expense: $530,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
2016 · fourth_quarter · Retirement
FY 2017 Federal Budget Proposal - retirement policy initiatives Tax reform - employer sponsored retirement tax incentives House Republicans Tax Reform Task Force Defined Benefit Plan Issues Mortality table updates De-risking pensions methods Non-discrimination issues affecting defined benefit plans Retirement Security Preservation Act of 2016 (RSPA) PBGC premiums Hybrid plan rules, including Pension Equity Plans Pension Portability Act - S. 2147/H.R. 4029 Pension and Budget Integrity Act of 2016 - H.R. 4955/S. 3240 Defined Contribution Plan Issues Retirement plan coverage Lifetime income Plan fees Shrinking Emergency Account Losses (SEAL) Act - S. 324 Automatic IRA Act of 2015 - H.R. 506/S. 245 Retirement Security Act of 2015 - H.R. 557/S. 266 Retail Investors Protection Act - H.R. 1090 The Lifetime Income Disclosure Act - S. 1317/H.R. 2317 Retirement Savings Lost and Found Act of 2016 - S. 3078/H.R. 5805 Retirement Choice Protection Act of 2015 - H.R. 3922 Small Businesses Add Value for Employees Act (SAVE) Act of 2015 - H.R. 4067 Universal Savings Account Act - H.R. 4094 Womens Pension Protection Act of 2015 - S. 2110/H.R. 4235 Receiving Electronic Statements to Improve Retiree Earnings Act - H.R. 2656/S. 3417 Affordable Retirement Advice Protection (ARAP) Act - H.R. 4293 Strengthening Access to Valuable Education & Retirement Support (SAVERS) Act - H.R. 4294 Financial Choice Act of 2016 - H.R. 5983 Secure, Accessible, Valuable, Efficient, Universal Pension (SAVE UP) Act - H.R. 5731 Retirement Security for American Workers Act - H.R. 6396 EEOC Reform Act - S. 2693 Retirement Improvements and Savings Enhancements (RISE) Act of 2016 - Early Draft of retirement reform legislation Retirement Enhancement and Savings (RESA) Act - modified version Other Final Fiduciary Definition/Conflict of Interest Rule Proposed & New Revisions to EEO-1 Form - annual Employer Information Report New Claims Procedures - Disability Benefits (DOL, EBSA) Proposed Form 5500 Changes Executive & nonqualified deferred compensation Multiemployer pension plan issues Multiple employer plans (MEPs) State retirement plan initiatives Plan administration - certification of hardship withdrawals and determination letter program Paid leave proposals and issues Student loan repayment benefit - Employer Participation in Student Loan Assistance Act - S. 2467/H.R. 3861 Missing Participants International pension issues, including cross-border pension funds
Client expense: $177,146 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC), SENATE, Treasury, Dept of
2016 · second_quarter · Retirement
- Issues related to insolvency of Social Security Disability Insurance trust fund - H.R. 577/S. 266: Retirement Security Act of 2015 - amends ERISA & the IRC with respect to employer pension benefit plans and directs Treasury to prescribe final regulations to permit employers to participate in open multiple employer pension benefit plans - H.R. 2317/S 1317 - Lifetime income Disclosure Act of 2015 issue- lifetime income illustrations - H.R. 4067- Small Businesses Add Value Act (SAVE) of 2015 - components regarding open multiple employer plans, safe harbor for annuity plan selection, and lifetime income disclosure concepts - H.R. 506/S. 245 - Automatic IRA Act of 2015 - all provisions - SAFE Act, (yet to be reintroduced) making reforms to government plan use of annuities, as well as other reforms to the private marketplace and regulation
Client expense: $1,490,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Federal Reserve System, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Internal Revenue Service (IRS), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR)
2016 · fourth_quarter · Retirement
RET - Fourth Quarter Report - 2016 H.R. 506/ S. 245: Automatic IRA Act of 2015. Issue: retirement security H.R. 557/ S. 266: Retirement Security Act of 2015. Issue: retirement security H.R. 2028 - Further Continuing and Security Assistance Appropriations Act. Section 172, regarding funding to address the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) hearing backlog. Issue: disability insurance H.R. 2317/ S. 1317 - Lifetime Income Disclosure Act. Issue: lifetime income illustration H.R. 2656 - The Receiving Electronic Statements to Improve Retiree Earnings Act. Issue: electronic disclosure of retirement plan notices. H.R. 3590-The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Issue: Assessments under state-based insurance exchanges. H.R. 4067 - SAVE Act of 2015. Issue: retirement security H.R. 6396 - the Retirement Security for American Workers Act. Issue: expanding retirement savings plans. H.R. ___/S.___ Draft legislation amending Affordable Care Act provisions on health exchange assessments. Issue: Health Exchange Assessments H.R.___/S.___ Draft legislation to facilitate disability income insurance options for employees. Issue: Disability income insurance. H.R. ___/S.___ Draft legislation on tax treatment and consumer financing for long-term care insurance. Issue: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) hearing decision backlog S. Amendment 2761 to H.R. 1314-Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015. To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to reduce the payroll tax for self-employed individuals enrolled in a private disability insurance plan, and for employers that provide such plans to their employees. Issue: disability insurance. S. 3471 Retirement Enhancement and Savings Act of 2016. Issue: expanding retirement savings plans. Retirement Improvements and Savings Enhancement Act Discussion Draft House GOP Blueprint on Tax Reform
Client expense: $800,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
2016 · fourth_quarter · Retirement
Issues related to IRA and pension reform. Issues related to investment advice made in connection with retirement products: H.R. 1090, S. 1317 and H.R. 2317. Issues related to individuals and businesses investing in retirement vehicles, plan funding limits, participation and disclosure rules, exemptions, employer and plan sponsor duties and safe harbors: H.R. 4293, S. 2502, H.R. 506, S. 245, H.R. 3050 and H.R. 4094.
Client expense: $612,770 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Labor, Dept of (DOL), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), Treasury, Dept of
2016 · fourth_quarter · Retirement
H.R. 506/ S. 245: Automatic IRA Act of 2015. Issue: retirement security H.R. 557/ S. 266: Retirement Security Act of 2015. Issue: retirement security H.R. 3590-The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Issue: Assessments under state-based insurance exchanges. H.R. 2656 - The Receiving Electronic Statements to Improve Retiree Earnings Act. Issue: electronic disclosure of retirement plan notices. HR 2317/ S. 1317 - Lifetime Income Disclosure Act. Issue: lifetime income illustration S. Amendment 2761 to H.R. 1314-Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015. To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to reduce the payroll tax for self-employed individuals enrolled in a private disability insurance plan, and for employers that provide such plans to their employees. Issue: disability insurance. H.R. ___/S.___ Draft legislation amending Affordable Care Act provisions on health exchange assessments. Issue: Health Exchange Assessments H.R.___/S.___ Draft legislation to facilitate disability income insurance options for employees. Issue: Disability income insurance. H.R. 2028 - Further Continuing and Security Assistance Appropriations Act. Section 172, regarding funding to address the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) hearing backlog. Issue: disability insurance HR 4067 - SAVE Act of 2015. Issue: retirement security H.R. ___/S.___ Draft legislation on tax treatment and consumer financing for long-term care insurance. Issue: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) hearing decision backlog Retirement Improvements and Savings Enhancement Act Discussion Draft House GOP Blueprint on Tax Reform S. 3471 Retirement Enhancement and Savings Act of 2016. Issue: expanding retirement savings plans. H.R. 6396 - the Retirement Security for American Workers Act. Issue: expanding retirement savings plans.
Client expense: $1,134,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
2016 · third_quarter · Retirement
- Issues related to insolvency of Social Security Disability Insurance Trust Fund. - H.R. 577/S. 266: Retirement Security Act of 2015 - amends ERISA & the IRC with respect to employer pension benefit plans and directs Treasury to prescribe final regulations to permit employers to participate in open multiple employer pension benefit plans. - H.R. 2317/S. 1317 - Lifetime income Disclosure Act of 2015 issue- lifetime income illustrations. - H.R. 4067- Small Businesses Add Value Act (SAVE) of 2015 -- components regarding open multiple employer plans, safe harbor for annuity plan selection and lifetime income disclosure concepts. - Senate Finance comprehensive retirement package - Retirement Enhancement Savings Act. (Inclusive of SAVE Act, LIDA and provisions related to lifetime income portability and open MEPs). - Multi-employer pension plan solutions discussions including composite plan draft (not yet reintroduced) by Rep John Kline. - H.R. 506/S. 245 - Automatic IRA Act of 2015 -- All provisions.
Client expense: $1,160,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Federal Reserve System, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Labor, Dept of (DOL), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR)
2016 · third_quarter · Retirement
H.R. 1713 - Student Loan Repayment Assistance Act of 2015 (Expands Section 127 of IRC.) H.R. 3861 - Employer Participation in Student Loan Assistance Act (Expands Sec. 127 of IRC.) H.R. 4363 - Student Tax Affordability and Relief Act (Expands Sec. 127 of IRC.) H.R. 4867 - Working Families Relief Act (Expands Sec. 127 of IRC.) H.R. 4955 - Pension and Budget Integrity Act of 2016 (PBGC Budget legislation.) H.R. 5191 - Higher Education Loan Payments (HELP) for Students and Parents Act (Expands Sec. 127 of the IRC.) Senate Bill - Pension and Budget Integrity Act of 2016 (PBGC Budget legislation.) S. 245 & H.R. 506 - Automatic IRA Act of 2015 (Auto enroll employees in an IRA.) S. 266 & H.R. 557 - Retirement Security Act of 2015 (Design flexibility in multi-employer pension plans.) S. 2502 & H.R. 4293 - Affordable Retirement Advice Protection Act (Response to DOL Fiduciary Rule.) S. 2505 & H.R. 4294 - Strengthening Access to Valuable Education and Retirement Support Act (Response to DOL Fiduciary Rule.) S. 3240 - Pension and Budget Integrity Act of 2016 (PBGC Budget legislation.) Definition of 'Fiduciary' - DOL Multi-Employer Pension Reform Legislation - House and Senate Pension Non-Discrimination Meetings - House and Senate Retirement Savings through MYRA - White House Tax Reform & Retirement Security Task Force- House and Senate
Client expense: $556,129 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Labor Relations Board (NLRB), SENATE, Small Business Administration (SBA), Treasury, Dept of, White House Office
2016 · third_quarter · Retirement
H.R. 506 - Automatic IRA Act of 2015; entire bill H.R. 557 - Retirement Security Act of 2015; entire bill H.R. 2317 - Lifetime Income Disclosure Act; entire bill H.R. 2656 - Receiving Electronic Statements To Improve Retiree Earnings (RETIRE) Act; entire bill H.R. 4045 - USAccounts: Investing in Americas Future Act of 2015; entire bill H.R. 4293 - Affordable Retirement Advice Protection Act; entire bill H.R. 4294 - Strengthening Access to Valuable Education and Retirement Support (SAVERS) Act; entire bill H.R. 4773 - Protecting Workplace Advancement and Opportunity Act; entire bill H.R. 4538 - Senior$afe Act of 2016; entire bill H.R. 5731 - Secure, Accessible, Valuable, Efficient Universal Pension Accounts Act or SAVE UP Act; entire bill S. 245 - Automatic IRA Act of 2015; entire bill S. 266 - Retirement Security Act of 2015; entire bill S. 1317 - Lifetime Income Disclosure Act; entire bill S. 2216 - Senior$afe Act of 2015; entire bill S. 2472 - The American Savings Act; entire bill S. 2497 - Retail Investor Protection Act of 2016; entire bill S. 2502 - Affordable Retirement Advice Protection Act; entire bill S. 2505 - SAVERS Act; entire bill S. 2702 - ABLE to Work Act of 2016; entire bill S. 3307 - To Amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to avoid duplicative annual reporting, and for other purposes; entire bill S. 3417 -Receiving Electronic Statements To Improve Retiree Earnings Act or RETIRE Act; entire bill Appropriations bills for Department of Labor funding; provisions relating to the DOLs proposed ERISA fiduciary regulation Not Yet Introduced: Secure Annuities for Employee Retirement Act, provisions relating to use of private annuities in retirement plans Not Yet Introduced: Draft legislation to allow new multi-employer pension plan designs
Client expense: $560,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
2016 · third_quarter · Retirement
Legislation and rulemaking affecting annuities, variable life products and retirement savings including Obama Administration and Congressional proposals on tax reform. Lifetime Income Disclosure Act of 2015, legislation that proposes to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to require disclosure of lifetime income equivalents (114th Cong., H.R. 2137, S.1317). Proposals at the Department of Treasury for increasing Americans' access to guaranteed lifetime income solutions. Proposals at the Department of Labor for increasing Americans' access to guaranteed lifetime income solutions. Department of Labor rule to expand the scope of persons and entities that would be considered a fiduciary under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. Securities and Exchange Commission proposed rule to expand the scope of persons and entities that would be considered a fiduciary under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. Automatic IRA Act of 2015 (114th Cong., H.R. 506), legislation that Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) require certain employers who do not maintain qualified retirement plans or arrangements to make available to their eligible employees a payroll deposit individual retirement account (IRA) arrangement (automatic IRA arrangement) which grants such employees the right to opt-out of participation. Retirement Plan Simplification and Enhancement Act of 2013 (113th Cong.), legislation to improve the rules governing lifetime income products and other retirement savings vehicles. Retirement Security Act of 2015 (H.R. 557, S.266), expand the ability of Americans to better save for their retirement and would encourage the use of private multiple employer plans. Department of Labor rules for states to create retirement savings programs. The Retail Investor Protection Act (H.R. 1090, S.2497), DOL fiduciary rulemaking. The Retirement Choice Protection Act (H.R. 3922), DOL fiduciary rulemaking. The Affordable Retirement Advice Protection Act (H.R. 4293, S.2502), DOL fiduciary rulemaking. The SAVERS Act (H.R. 4294, S.2505), DOL fiduciary rulemaking. The Consolidated Omnibus Appropriations Act (H.R. 2029), DOL fiduciary rulemaking. The SAVE Act (H.R. 4067), improve existing SIMPLE IRA and SIMPLE 401(k) retirement plans to make it easier for small businesses to offer savings plans to their employees. Womens Pension Protection Act (S.2110), strengthen consumer protections to safeguard retirement savings, improve access to retirement savings plans for long-term, part-time workers - the majority of whom are women - and help increase womens financial literacy. The Senior$afe Act (H.R. 4538, S.2216), clarify existing laws to allow and encourage financial service representatives at banks and credit unions, investment advisors, and broker-dealers to report suspected financial fraud targeting seniors to regulators, law enforcement, or adult protective service agencies. The Receiving Electronic Statements to Improve Retiree Earnings Act (H.R. 2656), amends ERISA of 1974 and IRC of 1986 to provide for electronic delivery of pension plan information. The Retirement Savings Lost and Found Act of 2016 (S.3078), to increase the portability of and access to retirement savings. Financial CHOICE Act of 2016 (H.R. 5983). Secure, Accessible, Valuable, Efficient Universal Pension Accounts (SAVE UPs) Act. Retirement Enhancement and Savings Act of 2016. Sen. Wyden Discussion Draft on Retirement Savings and IRAs.
Client expense: $60,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Labor, Dept of (DOL), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), Treasury, Dept of
2016 · second_quarter · Retirement
- Issues related to insolvency of Social Security Disability Insurance trust fund - H.R. 577/S. 266: Retirement Security Act of 2015 - amends ERISA & the IRC with respect to employer pension benefit plans and directs Treasury to prescribe final regulations to permit employers to participate in open multiple employer pension benefit plans - H.R. 2317/S 1317 - Lifetime income Disclosure Act of 2015 issue- lifetime income illustrations - H.R. 4067- Small Businesses Add Value Act (SAVE) of 2015 - components regarding open multiple employer plans, safe harbor for annuity plan selection, and lifetime income disclosure concepts - H.R. 506/S. 245 - Automatic IRA Act of 2015 - all provisions - SAFE Act, (yet to be reintroduced) making reforms to government plan use of annuities, as well as other reforms to the private marketplace and regulation
Client expense: $1,490,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Federal Reserve System, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Internal Revenue Service (IRS), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR)
2016 · third_quarter · Retirement
- Issues related to insolvency of Social Security Disability Insurance Trust Fund. - H.R. 577/S. 266: Retirement Security Act of 2015 - amends ERISA & the IRC with respect to employer pension benefit plans and directs Treasury to prescribe final regulations to permit employers to participate in open multiple employer pension benefit plans. - H.R. 2317/S. 1317 - Lifetime income Disclosure Act of 2015 issue- lifetime income illustrations. - H.R. 4067- Small Businesses Add Value Act (SAVE) of 2015 -- components regarding open multiple employer plans, safe harbor for annuity plan selection and lifetime income disclosure concepts. - Senate Finance comprehensive retirement package - Retirement Enhancement Savings Act. (Inclusive of SAVE Act, LIDA and provisions related to lifetime income portability and open MEPs). - Multi-employer pension plan solutions discussions including composite plan draft (not yet reintroduced) by Rep John Kline. - H.R. 506/S. 245 - Automatic IRA Act of 2015 -- All provisions.
Client expense: $1,150,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Federal Reserve System, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Labor, Dept of (DOL), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR)
2016 · third_quarter · Retirement
S. 245, Automatic IRA Act of 2015 S. 324, SEAL Act S. 266, Retirement Security Act of 2015 - S. 1317 Lifetime Income Disclosure Act - S. 2110 - Womans Pension Protection Act of 2015 S. 2492 - Encouraging Americans to Save Act S. 3078 - Retirement Savings Lost and Found Act of 2016 S. 3240 - Pension and Budget Integrity Act of 2016 S. 3307 - A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to avoid duplicative annual reporting, and for other purposes S. 3338 - Small Business Employee Retirement Savings Act of 2016 S. 3417 - Receiving Electronic Statements to Improve Retiree Earnings Act - H.R. 2029 - Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 - H.R. 4236 - Financial Security Credit Act of 2015 - H.R. 4294 - Strengthening Access to Valuable Education and Retirement Support Act of 2015 - H.R. 4293 - Affordable Retirement Advice Protection Act H.R. 506, Automatic IRA Act of 2015 H.R. 577, Retirement Security Act of 2015 H.R. 1090, Retail Investor Protection Act (Wagner) - H.R. 2317 Lifetime Income Disclosure Act - H.R. 2656, Receiving Electronic Statements to Improve Retiree Earnings Act - H.R. 4955 - Pension and Budget Integrity Act of 2016
Client expense: $89,072 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC)
2016 · third_quarter · Retirement
Issues related to retirement security including: retirement plan standards, savings initiatives, the DOL fiduciary definition reproposal, lifetime income opportunities and public pension reform. S 266 / HR 557 Retirement Security Act of 2015. Issue: retirement security. S 245 / HR 506 Automatic IRA Act of 2015. Issue: retirement security. HR 3590 The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Issue: assessments under state-based insurance exchanges. HR 2656 The Receiving Electronic Statements to Improve Retiree Earnings Act. Issue: electronic disclosure of retirement plan notices. S 1317 / HR 2317 Lifetime Income Disclosure Act. Issue: lifetime income illustration. Draft legislation amending Affordable Care Act provisions on health exchange assessments. Draft legislation to facilitate disability income insurance options for employees. S 2505 / HR 4294 SAVERS Act of 2015. HR 4067 SAVE Act of 2015. No bill number: Retirement Enhancement and Savings Act of 2016. Retirement Improvements and Savings Enhancement Act Discussion Draft. House GOP Blueprint on Tax Reform. Issue: retirement security.
Client expense: $250,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
2016 · third_quarter · Retirement
H.R. 506, S. 245, S. 266, H.R. 557 - Multiple Small Employer Plans - issues relating to MEPs/MSEPs H.R. 2317, S. 1317 - Lifetime Income Disclosure & Regulatory Issues - all provisions H.R. 506 - Automatic IRA - all Provisions No Bill # - Proposed DOL Fiduciary Regulations - all provisions N/A - GMWB Interpretive Issues in terms of possible guidance No Bill # - Electronic Disclosure - ERISA/Internal Revenue Code - issues/provisions relating to the use of electronic disclosure by employee benefit plans N/A - Issues relating to DOL Safe Harbor for Selection of Annuity Providers No Bill # - Issues relating to Annuity Selection Safe Harbor N/A - Issues relating to target date funds N/A - Issues relating to guide/index for ERISA 408b-2 fee disclosures No Bill # - Non Cash Compensation on annuity sales
Client expense: $2,180,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Commerce, Dept of (DOC), Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Federal Reserve System, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Labor, Dept of (DOL), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), State, Dept of (DOS), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR)
Retirement Security as in the following bills: S324 - Shrinking Emergency Account Losses Act of 2015 (SEAL Act) HR506/S245 - Automatic IRA Act of 2015 HR557/S266 - Retirement Security Act of 2015 HR2317/S1317 - Lifetime Income Disclosure Act of 2015 HR2656 - Receiving Electronic Statements to Improve Retiree Earnings (RETIRE) Act of 2015 S3025 - Graduate Student Savings Act of 2016 S3417 - Receiving Electronic Statements to Improve Retiree Earnings (RETIRE) Act of 2016 Retirement Enhancement and Savings Act of 2016 Retirement Improvements and Savings Enhancements (RISE) Act DOL & SEC Fiduciary Proposals (DOL Fiduciary Definition Regulation/SEC Project to Harmonize Broker-Dealer Fiduciary Standards) as in the following bills: HR1090 - Retail Investor Protection Act of 2015 HR4294 - Strengthening Access to Valuable Education and Retirement Support (SAVERS) Act HR4293 - Affordable Retirement Advice Act Providing Lifetime Income Illustrations on Retirement Benefit Statements Tax Benefits of Defined Contribution Plans Defined Contribution Retirement Plan Design and Modernization Fiduciary Concerns Related to Advice and Education in Retirement Plans Stretch IRA Electronic Delivery of Plan Documents Retirement Plan Consolidation Tax Reform as it relates to retirement plans Qualified Default Investment Alternatives (QDIA) Safe Harbor for Plan Sponsors Including Annuity Providers on Plan Menus Retirement Plan Fees
Client expense: $370,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Economic Council (NEC), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), Treasury, Dept of
2016 · third_quarter · Retirement
H.R. 506/ S. 245: Automatic IRA Act of 2015. Issue: retirement security H.R. 557/ S. 266: Retirement Security Act of 2014. Issue: retirement security H.R. 3590-The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Issue: Assessments under state-based insurance exchanges. H.R. 2656 - The Receiving Electronic Statements to Improve Retiree Earnings Act. Issue: electronic disclosure of retirement plan notices. HR 2317/ S. 1317 - Lifetime Income Disclosure Act. Issue: lifetime income illustration S. Amendment 2761 to H.R. 1314-Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015. To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to reduce the payroll tax for self-employed individuals enrolled in a private disability insurance plan, and for employers that provide such plans to their employees. Issue: disability insurance. H.R. ___/S.___ Draft legislation amending Affordable Care Act provisions on health exchange assessments. Issue: Health Exchange Assessments H.R.___/S.___Draft legislation to facilitate disability income insurance options for employees. Issue: Disability income insurance. H.R. 3922 - Retirement Choice Protection Act. Issue: Department of Labors proposed fiduciary rule H.R. 4294 - SAVERS Act. Issue: Department of Labors proposed fiduciary rule H.R. 4293 - Affordable Retirement Advice Protection Act. Issue: Department of Labors proposed fiduciary rule H.R. 4067 - SAVE Act of 2015. Issue: retirement security H.R. ___/S.___ Draft legislation on tax treatment and consumer financing for long-term care insurance. Issue: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) hearing decision backlog S. 3307 - Bill to avoid duplicate annual reporting on Form 5500 No bill number assigned: Retirement Enhancement and Savings Act of 2016 (passed by Senate Finance Committee on 9/21/16) Retirement Improvements and Savings Enhancement Act Discussion Draft House GOP Blueprint on Tax Reform
Client expense: $620,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
2016 · third_quarter · Retirement
RET - Third Quarter Report - 2016 H.R. 506/ S. 245: Automatic IRA Act of 2015. Issue: retirement security H.R. 557/ S. 266: Retirement Security Act of 2015. Issue: retirement security H.R. 2317/ S. 1317 - Lifetime Income Disclosure Act. Issue: lifetime income illustration H.R. 2656 - The Receiving Electronic Statements to Improve Retiree Earnings Act. Issue: electronic disclosure of retirement plan notices. H.R. 3590-The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Issue: Assessments under state-based insurance exchanges. H.R. 4067 - SAVE Act of 2015. Issue: retirement security H.R. ___/S.___ Draft legislation amending Affordable Care Act provisions on health exchange assessments. Issue: Health Exchange Assessments H.R.___/S.___ Draft legislation to facilitate disability income insurance options for employees. Issue: Disability income insurance. H.R. ___/S.___ Draft legislation on tax treatment and consumer financing for long-term care insurance. Issue: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) hearing decision backlog S. Amendment 2761 to H.R. 1314-Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015. To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to reduce the payroll tax for self-employed individuals enrolled in a private disability insurance plan, and for employers that provide such plans to their employees. Issue: disability insurance. No bill number assigned: Retirement Enhancement and Savings Act of 2016 (passed by Senate Finance Committee on 9/21/16) Retirement Improvements and Savings Enhancement Act Discussion Draft House GOP Blueprint on Tax Reform
Client expense: $1,230,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
2016 · third_quarter · Retirement
Issues related to IRA and pension reform. Issues related to investment advice made in connection with retirement products: H.R. 1090, S. 1317 and H.R. 2317. Issues related to individuals and businesses investing in retirement vehicles, plan funding limits, participation and disclosure rules, exemptions, employer and plan sponsor duties and safe harbors: H.R. 4293, S. 2502, H.R. 506, S. 245, H.R. 3050 and H.R. 4094.
Client expense: $568,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Labor, Dept of (DOL), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), Treasury, Dept of
2016 · third_quarter · Retirement
H.R.506: Automatic IRA Act of 2015- Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) require certain employers who do not maintain qualifying retirement plans or arrangements to make available to their eligible employees a payroll deposit individual retirement account (IRA) arrangement (automatic IRA arrangement) which grants such employees the right to opt-out of participation; (2) require the Secretary of the Treasury to provide employers with a model notice for notifying employees of their opportunity to participate in an automatic IRA arrangement and to provide participants with an annual statement setting forth payments, earnings, value, and other specified information; (3) impose a penalty on employers who fail to provide eligible employees access to an automatic IRA arrangement; (4) allow employers who do not have more than 100 employees a tax credit for costs associated with establishing an automatic IRA arrangement; and (5) increase the dollar limitation on the tax credit for small employer pension plan startup costs. Establishes an Automatic IRA Advisory Group to make recommendations regarding automatic IRA investment options. Requires the Secretary and the Secretary of Labor to jointly conduct feasibility studies on: (1) extending spousal consent requirements to automatic IRA arrangements; (2) automatically transferring amounts saved by employees in retirement bonds into alternative, private sector, diversified investments when employees' automatic IRA balances reach a certain dollar level; (3) using investment data to notify individuals with multiple small balance retirement accounts of consolidation options; and (4) using investment arrangements associated with automatic IRAs to assist in addressing the problem of abandoned accounts. Directs the Secretaries to prescribe administrative guidance for the use of multiple employer plans by December 31, 2015. H.R.557: Retirement Security Act of 2015- Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) prescribe final regulations to permit employers to participate in multiple employer pension benefit plans, (2) promulgate regulations or other guidance to simplify and clarify rules relating to the timing of participant notices required under tax-preferred pension plans and the automatic escalation rules, and (3) modify the 1040EZ tax return form to allow taxpayers to claim the tax credit for retirement savings (saver's credit) on such form. Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to employer pension benefit plans, to: (1) allow employers to maintain a tax-exempt multiple employer pension benefit plan even if the employers sponsoring the plan share no common interest, (2) modify requirements for secure deferral arrangements with respect to nondiscrimination and employer matching contributions, and (3) allow employers with not more than 100 employees a business-related tax credit to cover increased matching contributions required by this Act. H.R. 1090/S.2497: Retail Investor Protection Act-Prohibits the Secretary of Labor from prescribing any regulation under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) defining the circumstances under which an individual is considered a fiduciary until 60 days after the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issues a final rule governing standards of conduct for brokers and dealers under specified law. Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to prohibit the SEC from promulgating a rule establishing an investment advisor standard of conduct as the standard of conduct of brokers and dealers before it reports to certain congressional committees whether: (1) retail investors and other customers are being harmed due to brokers or dealers operating under different standards of conduct than those applicable to investment advisors under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940; (2) alternative remedies will reduce any confusion or harm to retail investors due to brokers or dealers operating under such different standards of conduct; (3) adoption of a uniform fiduciary standard of conduct for brokers or dealers and investment advisors would adversely impact their commissions and the availability of proprietary products offered by brokers and dealers, as well as the ability of brokers and dealers to engage in principal transactions with customers; and (4) adoption of a uniform fiduciary standard of conduct for brokers or dealers and investment advisors would adversely impact retail investor access to personalized, cost-effective investment advice and recommendations. Requires the SEC: (1) to publish in the Federal Register formal findings that such rule would reduce retail customer confusion or harm due to standards of conduct applicable to brokers, dealers, and investment advisors; and (2) in proposing rules to consider the differences in the registration, supervision, and examination requirements applicable to brokers, dealers, and investment advisors. H.R. 2656/S.3417 Receiving Electronic Statements To Improve Retiree Earnings Act: To amend the Employee Retirement and Income Security Act of 1974 and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for the electronic delivery of pension plan information. H.R.4293 - Affordable Retirement Advice Protection Act: to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to ensure that retirement investors receive advice in their best interests H. R. 4294 -To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to ensure that retirement investors receive advice in their best interests. Strengthening Access to Valuable Education and Retirement Support Act of 2015 H.R. 4955 - Pension and Budget Integrity Act of 2016 - to amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to exclude the receipts and disbursements of the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) from the federal budget. S.245-Automatic IRA Act of 2015: Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) require certain employers who do not maintain qualifying retirement plans or arrangements to make available to their eligible employees a payroll deposit individual retirement account (IRA) arrangement (automatic IRA arrangement) which grants such employees the right to opt-out of participation; (2) require the Secretary of the Treasury to provide employers with a model notice for notifying employees of their opportunity to participate in an automatic IRA arrangement and to provide participants with an annual statement setting forth payments, earnings, value, and other specified information; (3) impose a penalty on employers who fail to provide eligible employees access to an automatic IRA arrangement; (4) allow employers who do not have more than 100 employees a tax credit for costs associated with establishing an automatic IRA arrangement; and (5) increase the dollar limitation on the tax credit for small employer pension plan startup costs. Establishes an Automatic IRA Advisory Group to make recommendations regarding automatic IRA investment options. Requires the Secretary and the Secretary of Labor to jointly conduct feasibility studies on: (1) extending spousal consent requirements to automatic IRA arrangements; (2) automatically transferring amounts saved by employees in retirement bonds into alternative, private sector, diversified investments when employees' automatic IRA balances reach a certain dollar level; (3) using investment data to notify individuals with multiple small balance retirement accounts of consolidation options; and (4) using investment arrangements associated with automatic IRAs to assist in addressing the problem of abandoned accounts. Directs the Secretaries to prescribe administrative guidance for the use of multiple employer plans by December 31, 2015. S.266 - Retirement Security Act of 2015-Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) prescribe final regulations to permit employers to participate in multiple employer pension benefit plans, (2) promulgate regulations or other guidance to simplify and clarify rules relating to the timing of participant notices required under tax-preferred pension plans and the automatic escalation rules, and (3) modify the 1040EZ tax return form to allow taxpayers to claim the tax credit for retirement savings (saver's credit) on such form. Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to employer pension benefit plans, to: (1) allow employers to maintain a tax-exempt multiple employer pension benefit plan even if the employers sponsoring the plan share no common interest, (2) modify requirements for secure deferral arrangements with respect to nondiscrimination and employer matching contributions, and (3) allow employers with not more than 100 employees a business-related tax credit to cover increased matching contributions required by this Act. S.324: Shrinking Emergency Account Losses Act of 2015 or the SEAL Act-Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to loans made from a qualified employer pension plan, to: (1) extend the period for repayment of loans if a plan terminates or a plan participant becomes unemployed, and (2) prohibit plans from allowing the use of credit cards or similar arrangements to access loan amounts. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to modify regulations governing hardship distributions from qualified employer pension plans to allow participants to make additional contributions to a plan during the six month period following a hardship distribution. S.2502: Affordable Retirement Advice Protection Act This bill amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to define "investment advice," as it relates to fiduciary duties under such Act, as a recommendation that relates to: (1) the advisability of acquiring, holding, disposing, or exchanging any moneys or other property of a pension plan (or Individual Retirement Account) by the plan, plan participants, or plan beneficiaries, including any recommendation regarding whether to take a distribution of benefits from the plan or any recommendation relating to a rollover or distribution from such plan; (2) the management of moneys or other property of the plan, including recommendations relating to the management of plan assets to be rolled over or otherwise distributed from the plan; or (3) the advisability of retaining or ceasing to retain a person who would receive a fee or other compensation for providing investment advice. Investment advice must be rendered pursuant to either: (1) a written acknowledgment of the obligation of the investment advisor to act in accordance with fiduciary standards under ERISA; or (2) a mutual agreement, arrangement, or understanding that may include limitations on scope, timing, and responsibility to provide ongoing monitoring or advice services. The bill allows an exemption from ERISA prohibited transactions rules for investment advice: (1) for which no more than reasonable compensation is paid; or (2) that is based on a limited range of investment options or may result in variable income to the investment advisor if a clearly-stated notice is provided to the advice recipient that the same or similar investments may be available at a greater or lesser cost from other sources. The bill prohibits the Department of Labor from amending any rules or administrative positions regarding investment advice promulgated under ERISA and no such rules or administrative positions promulgated prior to the enactment date of this Act, but not effective on January 1, 2015, may become effective unless a bill or joint resolution specifically approving such rules or positions is enacted not later than 60 days after the enactment of this Act. S.3240: Pension and Budget Integrity Act of 2016 - This bill prohibits provisions that increase or extend an increase of Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) premiums from being counted as an offset to determine budget points of order for legislation in the House or the Senate. The Retirement Enhancement and Savings Act of 2016: included broad retirement-related benefits, such as enhancements to 401(k) plans, MEPs, a repeal of the maximum age for individual retirement account (IRA) contributions, and a start-up credit for small employer plans.
Client expense: $426,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
2016 · third_quarter · Retirement
FY 2017 Federal Budget Proposal - retirement policy initiatives Tax reform - employer sponsored retirement plans House Republicans Tax Reform Task Force Defined Benefit Plan Issues Mortality table updates De-risking pensions methods Non-discrimination issues affecting defined benefit plans PBGC premiums Hybrid plan rules Pension Portability Act - S. 2147/H.R. 4029 Pension and Budget Integrity Act of 2016 - H.R. 4955/S. 3240 Defined Contribution Plan Issues Retirement plan coverage Lifetime income Plan fees Shrinking Emergency Account Losses (SEAL) Act - S. 324 Automatic IRA Act of 2015 - H.R. 506/S. 245 Retirement Security Act of 2015 - H.R. 557/S. 266 Retail Investors Protection Act - H.R. 1090 The Lifetime Income Disclosure Act - S. 1317/H.R. 2317 Retirement Savings Lost and Found Act of 2016 - S. 3078/H.R. 5805 Retirement Choice Protection Act of 2015 - H.R. 3922 Small Businesses Add Value for Employees Act (SAVE) Act of 2015 - H.R. 4067 Womens Pension Protection Act of 2015 - S. 2110/H.R. 4235 Receiving Electronic Statements to Improve Retiree Earnings Act - H.R. 2656/S. 3417 Affordable Retirement Advice Protection (ARAP) Act - H.R. 4293 Strengthening Access to Valuable Education & Retirement Support (SAVERS) Act - H.R. 4294 Financial Choice Act of 2016 - H.R. 5983 Secure, Accessible, Valuable, Efficient, Universal Pension (SAVE UP) Act - H.R. 5731 EEOC Reform Act - S. 2693 Retirement Improvements and Savings Enhancements (RISE) Act of 2016 - Early Draft of retirement reform legislation Retirement Enhancement and Savings (RES) Act - modified version Final Fiduciary Definition/Conflict of Interest Rule Proposed & New Revisions to EEO-1 Form - annual Employer Information Report Proposed Form 5500 Changes Executive & nonqualified deferred compensation Multiemployer pension plan issues Multiple employer plans (MEPs) State retirement plan initiatives Plan administration - certification of hardship withdrawals and determination letter program Paid leave proposals and issues - Healthy Families Act, S.497/H.R. 932, Working Families Flexibility Act, S. 233 Student loan repayment benefit - Employer Participation in Student Loan Assistance Act - S. 2467/H.R. 3861 Missing Participants
Client expense: $199,689 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC), SENATE, Treasury, Dept of
2016 · third_quarter · Retirement
H.R. 506/ S. 245: Automatic IRA Act of 2015. Issue: retirement security H.R. 557/ S. 266: Retirement Security Act of 2015. Issue: retirement security H.R. 3590-The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Issue: Assessments under state-based insurance exchanges. H.R. 2656 - The Receiving Electronic Statements to Improve Retiree Earnings Act. Issue: electronic disclosure of retirement plan notices. HR 2317/ S. 1317 - Lifetime Income Disclosure Act. Issue: lifetime income illustration S. Amendment 2761 to H.R. 1314-Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015. To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to reduce the payroll tax for self-employed individuals enrolled in a private disability insurance plan, and for employers that provide such plans to their employees. Issue: disability insurance. H.R. ___/S.___ Draft legislation amending Affordable Care Act provisions on health exchange assessments. Issue: Health Exchange Assessments H.R.___/S.___ Draft legislation to facilitate disability income insurance options for employees. Issue: Disability income insurance. HR 4067 - SAVE Act of 2015. Issue: retirement security H.R. ___/S.___ Draft legislation on tax treatment and consumer financing for long-term care insurance. Issue: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) hearing decision backlog No bill number assigned: Retirement Enhancement and Savings Act of 2016 (passed by Senate Finance Committee on 9/21/16) Retirement Improvements and Savings Enhancement Act Discussion Draft House GOP Blueprint on Tax Reform
Client expense: $1,071,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
2016 · first_quarter · Retirement
H.R. 4955 - Pension and Budget Integrity Act of 2016 (PBGC Budget Legislation) S. 245 & H.R. 506 - Automatic IRA Act of 2015 (Auto enroll employees in an IRA.) S. 266 & H.R. 557 - Retirement Security Act of 2015 (Design flexibility in multi-employer pension plans.) S. 2502 & H.R. 4293 - Affordable Retirement Advice Protection Act (Response to DOL Fiduciary Rule.) S. 2505 & H.R. 4294 - Strengthening Access to Valuable Education and Retirement Support Act (Response to DOL Fiduciary Rule.) Definition of 'Fiduciary' - DOL Multi-Employer Pension Reform Legislation - House and Senate Pension Non-Discrimination Meetings - House and Senate Retirement Savings through MYRA - White House Tax Reform & Retirement Security - House
Client expense: $462,495 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Labor Relations Board (NLRB), SENATE, Small Business Administration (SBA), Treasury, Dept of, White House Office
2016 · second_quarter · Retirement
- Issues related to insolvency of Social Security Disability Insurance trust fund - H.R. 577/S. 266: Retirement Security Act of 2015 - amends ERISA & the IRC with respect to employer pension benefit plans and directs Treasury to prescribe final regulations to permit employers to participate in open multiple employer pension benefit plans - H.R. 2317/S 1317 - Lifetime income Disclosure Act of 2015 issue- lifetime income illustrations - H.R. 4067- Small Businesses Add Value Act (SAVE) of 2015 - components regarding open multiple employer plans, safe harbor for annuity plan selection, and lifetime income disclosure concepts - H.R. 506/S. 245 - Automatic IRA Act of 2015 - all provisions - SAFE Act, (yet to be reintroduced) making reforms to government plan use of annuities, as well as other reforms to the private marketplace and regulation
Client expense: $1,470,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Federal Reserve System, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Internal Revenue Service (IRS), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR)
2016 · second_quarter · Retirement
H.R. 506 - Automatic IRA Act of 2015; entire bill H.R. 557 - Retirement Security Act of 2015; entire bill H.R. 2317 - Lifetime Income Disclosure Act; entire bill H.R. 2656 - Receiving Electronic Statements To Improve Retiree Earnings (RETIRE) Act; entire bill H.R. 4045 - USAccounts: Investing in Americas Future Act of 2015; entire bill H.R. 4293 - Affordable Retirement Advice Protection Act; entire bill H.R. 4294 - Strengthening Access to Valuable Education and Retirement Support (SAVERS) Act; entire bill H.R. 4773 - Protecting Workplace Advancement and Opportunity Act; entire bill H.R. 4538 - Senior$afe Act of 2016; entire bill H.J. Res. 88 - A resolution that would block implementation of the Labor Departments new rule aimed at preventing conflicts of interest in the retirement advice sector. S. 245 - Automatic IRA Act of 2015; entire bill S. 266 - Retirement Security Act of 2015; entire bill S. 1317 - Lifetime Income Disclosure Act; entire bill S. 2216 - Senior$afe Act of 2015; entire bill S. 2472 - The American Savings Act; entire bill S. 2497 - Retail Investor Protection Act of 2016; entire bill S. 2502 - Affordable Retirement Advice Protection Act; entire bill S. 2505 - SAVERS Act; entire bill S. 2702 - ABLE to Work Act of 2016; entire bill S.J. Res. 33: A resolution that would block implementation of the Labor Departments new rule aimed at preventing conflicts of interest in the retirement advice sector. Appropriations bills for Department of Labor funding; provisions relating to the DOLs proposed ERISA fiduciary regulation Not Yet Introduced: Secure Annuities for Employee Retirement Act, provisions relating to use of private annuities in retirement plans
Client expense: $430,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
2016 · second_quarter · Retirement
H.R. 1713 - Student Loan Repayment Assistance Act of 2015 (Expands Section 127 of IRC) H.R. 3861 - Employer Participation in Student Loan Assistance Act (Expands Sec. 127 of IRC) H.R. 4363 - Student Tax Affordability and Relief Act (Expands Sec. 127 of IRC) H.R. 4867 - Working Families Relief Act (Expands Sec. 127 of IRC) H.R. 4955 - Pension and Budget Integrity Act of 2016 (PBGC Budget Legislation) H.R. 5191 - Higher Education Loan Payments (HELP) for Students and Parents Act (Expands Sec. 127 of the IRC) Senate Bill - Pension and Budget Integrity Act of 2016 (PBGC Budget Legislation) S. 245 & H.R. 506 - Automatic IRA Act of 2015 (Auto enroll employees in an IRA.) S. 266 & H.R. 557 - Retirement Security Act of 2015 (Design flexibility in multi-employer pension plans.) S. 2502 & H.R. 4293 - Affordable Retirement Advice Protection Act (Response to DOL Fiduciary Rule.) S. 2505 & H.R. 4294 - Strengthening Access to Valuable Education and Retirement Support Act (Response to DOL Fiduciary Rule.) Definition of 'Fiduciary' - DOL Multi-Employer Pension Reform Legislation - House and Senate Pension Non-Discrimination Meetings - House and Senate Retirement Savings through MYRA - White House Tax Reform & Retirement Security Task Force- House and Senate
Client expense: $711,727 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Labor Relations Board (NLRB), SENATE, Small Business Administration (SBA), Treasury, Dept of, White House Office
2016 · second_quarter · Retirement
H.R. 506, S. 245, S. 266, H.R. 557 - Multiple Small Employer Plans - issues relating to MEPs/MSEPs H.R. 2317, S. 1317 - Lifetime Income Disclosure & Regulatory Issues - all provisions H.R. 506 - Automatic IRA - all Provisions No Bill # - Proposed DOL Fiduciary Regulations - all provisions N/A - GMWB Interpretive Issues in terms of possible guidance No Bill # - Electronic Disclosure - ERISA/Internal Revenue Code - issues/provisions relating to the use of electronic disclosure by employee benefit plans N/A - Issues relating to DOL Safe Harbor for Selection of Annuity Providers No Bill # - Issues relating to Annuity Selection Safe Harbor N/A - Issues relating to target date funds N/A - Issues relating to guide/index for ERISA 408b-2 fee disclosures No Bill # - Non Cash Compensation on annuity sales
Client expense: $3,170,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Commerce, Dept of (DOC), Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Federal Reserve System, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Labor, Dept of (DOL), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), State, Dept of (DOS), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR)
Retirement Security as in the following bills: S324 - Shrinking Emergency Account Losses Act of 2015 (SEAL Act) HR506/S245 - Automatic IRA Act of 2015 HR557/S266 - Retirement Security Act of 2015 HR2317/S1317 - Lifetime Income Disclosure Act of 2015 HR2656 - Receiving Electronic Statements to Improve Retiree Earnings (RETIRE) Act of 2015 S3025 - Graduate Student Savings Act of 2016 DOL & SEC Fiduciary Proposals (DOL Fiduciary Definition Regulation/SEC Project to Harmonize Broker-Dealer Fiduciary Standards) as in the following bills: HR1090 - Retail Investor Protection Act of 2015 HR4294 - Strengthening Access to Valuable Education and Retirement Support (SAVERS) Act HR4293 - Affordable Retirement Advice Act Providing Lifetime Income Illustrations on Retirement Benefit Statements Tax Benefits of Defined Contribution Plans Defined Contribution Retirement Plan Design and Modernization Fiduciary Concerns Related to Advice and Education in Retirement Plans Stretch IRA Electronic Delivery of Plan Documents Retirement Plan Consolidation Tax Reform as it relates to retirement plans Qualified Default Investment Alternatives (QDIA) Safe Harbor for Plan Sponsors Including Annuity Providers on Plan Menus Retirement Plan Fees
Client expense: $350,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Economic Council (NEC), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC)
2016 · second_quarter · Retirement
S. 245, Automatic IRA Act of 2015 S. 324, SEAL Act S. 266, Retirement Security Act of 2015 - S. 1317 Lifetime Income Disclosure Act - S. 2110 - Womans Pension Protection Act of 2015 - S. 3078 Retirement Savings Lost and Found Act of 2016 - H.R. 2029 - Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 - H.R. 4236 - Financial Security Credit Act of 2015 - H.R. 4294 - Strengthening Access to Valuable Education and Retirement Support Act of 2015 - H.R. 4293 - Affordable Retirement Advice Protection Act H.R. 506, Automatic IRA Act of 2015 H.R. 577, Retirement Security Act of 2015 H.R. 1090, Retail Investor Protection Act (Wagner) - H.R. 2317 Lifetime Income Disclosure Act - H.R. 2656, Receiving Electronic Statements to Improve Retiree Earnings Act - H.R. 4955 - Pension and Budget Integrity Act of 2016
Client expense: $203,895 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC)
2016 · first_quarter · Retirement
H.R. 506/ S. 245: Automatic IRA Act of 2015. Issue: retirement security H.R. 557/ S. 266: Retirement Security Act of 2014. Issue: retirement security H.R. 3590-The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Issue: Assessments under state-based insurance exchanges. H.R. 2656 - The Receiving Electronic Statements to Improve Retiree Earnings Act. Issue: electronic disclosure of retirement plan notices. HR 2317/ S. 1317 - Lifetime Income Disclosure Act. Issue: lifetime income illustration S. Amendment 2761 to H.R. 1314-Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015. To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to reduce the payroll tax for self-employed individuals enrolled in a private disability insurance plan, and for employers that provide such plans to their employees. Issue: disability insurance. H.R. ___/S.___ Draft legislation amending Affordable Care Act provisions on health exchange assessments. Issue: Health Exchange Assessments H.R.___/S.___Draft legislation to facilitate disability income insurance options for employees. Issue: Disability income insurance. H.R. 3922 - Retirement Choice Protection Act. Issue: Department of Labors proposed fiduciary rule H.R. 4294 - SAVERS Act. Issue: Department of Labors proposed fiduciary rule H.R. 4293 - Affordable Retirement Advice Protection Act. Issue: Department of Labors proposed fiduciary rule H.R. 4067 - SAVE Act of 2015. Issue: retirement security S 2381 - Puerto Rico Assistance Act of 2015. Issue: Department of Labors proposed fiduciary rule Issue: Department of Labors proposed fiduciary rule
Client expense: $640,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE