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401(k) industry howls as DOL lets state governments become DC providers with advantageous exemptions

Multiple employer plans' under states will have economies of scale, fewer rules, while ERISA bars private firms from banding together

Author Lisa Shidler December 10, 2015 at 7:00 PM
Admin:
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Michael Kreps: The DOL is allowing states to set up automatic enrollment for IRAs without triggering ERISA rules. This is setting up an unfair advantages.

Brian Murphy

Brian Murphy

December 11, 2015 — 1:20 AM

Seems to me the writing is on the wall and advisors had better re-think their services and how they get paid for them. Sure there is downside for existing business models here, but this also opens a myriad of opportunities to industry participants.

Robb Smith

Robb Smith

December 11, 2015 — 2:16 PM

The idea of fed-run (MyRA) or state-run private sector plans are problematic and should send a chill to every retirement plan practitioner save for the very largest Wall Street firms and insurance carriers. State-run plans – whether individual plans, single MEPs or regional MEPs run by the states – smacks at the very heart of the intentions of ERISA which was to keep the states from running private retirement plans.

Personally, I am not willing to take a “wait and see” position as the handwriting on the wall is clear as to the extent of damage this will do to all the small businesses in the retirement plans space, i.e. advisors, TPAs, recordkeepers, auditors, attorneys, etc. The purpose of any government is to expand small business opportunities not constrict them by unfairly competing against them.

This is one issue where we need to lay our differences aside and fight this intrusion tooth and nail. We can only hope Congress will step up and do their job and “stop the madness” before the horses have all left the barn. Let them hear from all of us.


Mentioned in this article:

Sheridan Road Financial
Consulting Firm
Top Executive: Jim O'Shaughnessy

Pension Resource Institute, LLC
Compliance Expert
Top Executive: Jason C. Roberts

Retirement Law Group, PC

Top Executive: Jason C. Roberts



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