Simple Summary (Text)
Full Summary & Action Items (Text)
The SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 is a comprehensive retirement savings reform bill that was passed on December 19, 2022. The main purpose of the law is to make it easier for individuals and families to save for their retirement by making changes to existing retirement savings accounts, creating new accounts and providing tax incentives for contributions made to these accounts.
1) It increases contribution limits for 401(k)s and IRAs;
2) It allows employers to set up automatic enrollment in 401(k) plans;
3) It creates a new type of account called an ABLE account which is designed specifically for those with disabilities;
4) It establishes an open multiple employer plan (MEP), allowing small business owners to pool their resources together when setting up retirement plans;
5) It provides tax incentives for employers who offer matching contributions or other types of compensation through their employee benefit plans;
6) It also expands access to annuities within 401(k)s and IRAs so that individuals can use them as part of their retirement income strategy.
Reviewing current retirement plan offerings and employee contribution rates.
Considering whether adding an automated enrollment option makes sense.
Looking into offering additional investment options such as annuities or ABLE accounts.
Evaluating the possibility of joining a multiple employer plan (MEP).
Researching potential tax incentives related to employer-matching contributions or other types of compensation offered through employee benefit plans.
Synopsis & Action Items (Text)
The SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 is a comprehensive retirement security package that includes provisions to improve the retirement system for both employers and employees. It provides more options for employers to offer retirement plans, expands access to tax incentives for small businesses, and encourages auto-enrollment and automatic escalation of contributions into retirement accounts. The law also includes important protections for workers, such as measures to prevent age discrimination in hiring practices and additional requirements around financial literacy education.
1) Employers will be able to provide a range of new options when it comes to offering retirement plans, including those that allow multiple employers or single employers with different levels of assets or workforce size in one plan; Multiple employer plans (MEPs); and open multiple employer plans (Open MEPs). The law also permits employers who sponsor 401(k) or SIMPLE IRA plans to join Open MEPs and allows eligible non-profit organizations to participate in these arrangements as well.
2) Tax incentives have been expanded so that small businesses can receive a credit equal to up to 50% of the cost associated with starting a plan and making contributions until their business reaches $500,000 in assets.
3) In order to encourage higher levels of savings among participants, the law requires automatic enrollment into workplace retirement plans at 6% unless an employee opts out, along with rules for increasing contribution percentages over time (automatic escalation).
4) To protect older workers from potential age discrimination when hiring new employees, the law prohibits employers from asking potential hires about their ages before they are hired, while still allowing them to set minimum hiring ages if needed by law or regulation.
5) Provision has been made for financial literacy education through grants awarded by the Department of Labor (DOL). These grants will go toward initiatives designed to raise awareness about saving for retirement among Americans across all demographics, as well as providing information on how best to manage investments and other personal finance topics related to achieving long-term financial goals.
Evaluating current retirement offerings
Considering implementing auto-enrollment features
Reviewing any policies regarding age when hiring new employees
Developing strategies around financial literacy education initiatives
Researching available tax incentives
Exploring joining multiple employer plans if applicable
Setting up procedures for monitoring compliance with rules related to change notification requirements etc.