Senators seek better spousal protections in DC plans

Senators seek better spousal protections in DC plans
The bipartisan letter asks the Government Accountability Office to examine current protections in defined-contribution plans.
MAR 25, 2022

Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, and Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., the committee's ranking member, have sent a letter to the Government Accountability Office asking the agency to examine the need for stronger spousal protections in defined-contribution retirement plans.

“Unlike traditional defined benefit retirement plans and the Federal government’s Thrift Savings Plan that have spousal protections, private employer-sponsored defined contribution retirement plans — which have become the most common retirement savings vehicle — currently provide no similar safeguards, the senators wrote. “Under current law, one spouse could take a withdrawal from their account without the other spouse’s knowledge or consent. This could have a devastating effect on the unknowing spouse and family members, especially if they are less familiar with the household’s finances.”

The senators’ letter to GAO comes ahead of a HELP Committee hearing next week that will take a broader look at how to strengthen retirement and enhance savings for Americans.

Latest News

Maryland bars advisor over charging excessive fees to clients
Maryland bars advisor over charging excessive fees to clients

Blue Anchor Capital Management and Pickett also purchased “highly aggressive and volatile” securities, according to the order.

Wave of SEC appointments signals regulatory shift with implications for financial advisors
Wave of SEC appointments signals regulatory shift with implications for financial advisors

Reshuffle provides strong indication of where the regulator's priorities now lie.

US insurers want to take a larger slice of the retirement market through the RIA channel
US insurers want to take a larger slice of the retirement market through the RIA channel

Goldman Sachs Asset Management report reveals sharpened focus on annuities.

Why DA Davidson's wealth vice chairman still follows his dad's investment advice
Why DA Davidson's wealth vice chairman still follows his dad's investment advice

Ahead of Father's Day, InvestmentNews speaks with Andrew Crowell.

401(k) participants seek advice, but few turn to financial advisors
401(k) participants seek advice, but few turn to financial advisors

Cerulli research finds nearly two-thirds of active retirement plan participants are unadvised, opening a potential engagement opportunity.

SPONSORED RILAs bring stability, growth during volatile markets

Barely a decade old, registered index-linked annuities have quickly surged in popularity, thanks to their unique blend of protection and growth potential—an appealing option for investors looking to chart a steadier course through today’s choppy market waters, says Myles Lambert, Brighthouse Financial.

SPONSORED Beyond the dashboard: Making wealth tech human

How intelliflo aims to solve advisors' top tech headaches—without sacrificing the personal touch clients crave