Editor's note: As background for some of the questions supplied by leading industry groups, P&I has assembled stories on retirement issues, ranging from the impact of the coronavirus to policy proposals and legislation.
What's ahead for retirement?
Election in sight, but focus stays on secure retirement: Despite growing political uncertainty and a shrinking legislative calendar, there could be more legislation in 2020 to address the multiemployer pension crisis and uncertainty caused by the pandemic.
Closing the gap
Secure choice plans chugging along despite pandemic: State-sponsored retirement plans have remained resilient during the pandemic, with employee contributions holding steady, withdrawals under control and employer registrations inching higher.
SECURE Act doesn't erase all retirement income worries: Retirement income products are plagued by a cloud of uncertainty about cost, structure, liquidity and complexity, according to a PIMCO survey.
Multiemployer fix needed
Multiemployer compromises needed: The time to save the PBGC's multiemployer program, and many financially troubled plans affecting some 3 million U.S. workers and retirees, is short.
House relief package addresses multiemployer plans: Another coronavirus relief legislative package has several retirement provisions, including some relief for multiemployer pension plans and the PBGC.
Back on track?
Sponsors face quandary in how to help participants: Industry experts say there's no easy answer to the question of whether plan sponsors should adopt the new rules under the CARES Act.
Record keepers adjust quickly to work-from-home reality: To address the increase in employees working remotely, record keepers have responded with an increased focus on cybersecurity, supplying employees with necessary technology and online team calls.
Sponsors continuing on path to alleviate big financial burdens: Defined contribution sponsors enter 2020 seeking action to ease participants' financial concerns of today so they can adequately plan for tomorrow.
Cutting red tape?
Contribution holdups becoming a stark reality: While scores of retirement plan sponsors have suspended or delayed employer contributions to minimize the financial wreckage, it isn't an easy decision or an easy process, particularly for sponsors of safe harbor plans.
Coronavirus pushing association plans to side: The pandemic stalled a promising start aimed at plugging a gap in retirement for small businesses.
Taxes and carve-outs
Proposed financial transaction taxes would hit U.S. pension funds: Proposed financial transaction taxes would negatively impact U.S. pension plans, according to a new report.
Financial transaction tax reappears in Congress: Legislation creating a new progressive tax on financial transactions was introduced.
Financial transaction tax will hurt funds: A financial transactions tax has been proposed in Congress previously and has gone nowhere, but its time may be coming. At least 40 other countries have some version of such a tax.
