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DOL Issues

The White House's Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has completed its review of the Retirement Security Rule, and it is expected to be released by the Department of Labor (DOL) by the end of the month, according to reliable sources. The OMB concluded its review and removed the rule from its... READ MORE
The American Retirement Association (ARA) and sustainable markets advocacy organization Ceres has filed an amicus brief in the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. It supported the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) rule “that ensures retirement plan fiduciaries, including 401(k) sponsors, can consider... READ MORE
As the Department of Labor defends its rule allowing the use of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors by fiduciaries when selecting plan investments, legislation to restrict the use of ESG in making investment decisions—including for 403(b) and 457 plans—has been reintroduced in... READ MORE
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) received the fiduciary rule, listed as Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary, from the Department of Labor (DOL) on March 8. The OMB will review its costs and benefits within 90 days. However, the compressed two-month... READ MORE
Tech Talk discusses what agencies and officials have a role in regulating and overseeing 403(b) plans or investment options provided to participants. READ MORE
While the Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) recovered $1.435 billion in direct payment to plans, participants and beneficiaries in fiscal year 2023, that number has been trending downward for the past few years.   According to a fact sheet released by EBSA,... READ MORE
Coming slightly more than a month after its first hearing on the Department of Labor’s proposed investment advice fiduciary rule, a second subcommittee of the House of Representatives debated the merits of the proposal, with the battle lines drawn between the two parties.   The Feb. 15 hearing by... READ MORE
The Department of Labor (DOL) announced a final rule on Jan. 9 that it says will help employers and workers better understand when a worker qualifies as an employee and when they may be considered independent contractors. It will take effect on March 11, 2024. The rule provides guidance under the... READ MORE
With several references made to the movie Groundhog Day, witnesses testifying at a House subcommittee hearing to examine the DOL’s proposed investment advice fiduciary rule suggested the proposal goes beyond its legal authority and called on Congress to act before the guidance ends up in litigation... READ MORE
In our comment letter submitted to the Department of Labor (DOL) on Jan. 2, 2024, the American Retirement Association (ARA) expressed support for—yet specific issues with— the department’s proposed definition of “fiduciary investment advice” and amendments to PTE 2020-02.​ The rulemaking package,... READ MORE
In MarketBeat, Nevin E. Adams, JD notes that like many, he has spent a fair amount of time analyzing the impact and import of the new fiduciary rule proposal.  READ MORE
In prepared testimony to the Department of Labor's (DOL) leadership and staff, American Retirement Association (ARA) CEO Brian Graff highlighted “the significant regulatory gap” regarding plan-level advice on Dec. 12. Graff’s comments—made in support of the DOL’s latest attempt to modernize the... READ MORE
American Retirement Association (ARA) CEO Brian Graff is scheduled to testify on the first day of a public hearing hosted by the Department of Labor (DOL) titled “Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary.”  Graff will follow opening remarks from Assistant Secretary... READ MORE
In MarketBeat, Allison Wielobob writes that the proposed fiduciary rule would change who an ERISA fiduciary is and the conditions under which those fiduciaries may conduct business with retirement investors.   READ MORE
November was a very quiet month. It started with a family vacation and ended with a wonderful week of thanksgiving. I am personally thankful for all of you who do so much for the educators across this great nation. Thank you for putting in the time and effort to ensure that educators have the best... READ MORE
It’s been a couple of fast-moving days for the Department of Labor’s (DOL) proposal to amend the definition of investment advice fiduciary, as the House GOP has stepped up efforts to block the DOL from implementing its proposal, while the department has now denied a request to extend the comment... READ MORE
The SECURE 2.0 Act’s creation of an online searchable lost and found database at the Department of Labor (DOL) to help American workers find lost retirement savings benefits has moved one step closer to becoming a reality.  The Technology Modernization Fund (TMF)—which invests in technology... READ MORE
Ahead of today’s anticipated rollout of a new fiduciary rule, the Biden Administration has issued a fact sheet previewing its content—including an issue of long concern to the American Retirement Association. The fact sheet focuses on the issue of conflicted advice, specifically calling out what... READ MORE
As anticipated, the Department of Labor (DOL) has released a proposed rule defining who is an investment advice fiduciary for purposes of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). The proposed rule, announced during a White House ceremony attended by President Biden on the afternoon of... READ MORE
After months of anticipation, the Department of Labor (DOL) will release a new version of its proposed fiduciary rule for public comment on Oct. 31.  The announcement will be made during a ceremony at the White House scheduled for 3:30 that afternoon. The President will attend, an indication of... READ MORE

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