Business News

401(k) auto-enrollment and other big changes to retirement plans in the omnibus bill for 2023

 

A package of proposed changes to help Americans save more for retirement could soon be the law.

The changes, part of the Secure Act 2.0, are included in the sweeping end-of-year spending bill that lawmakers probably will vote on in the coming days to avoid a government shutdown, according to the text of the $1.7 trillion 2023 Government Funding Legislation published Tuesday.

If passed, they could benefit Americans across the spectrum regardless of how close they are to retirement, although many provisions would not take immediate effect.

Included in the broad retirement legislation are measures to allow employers to count employees’ student loan payments toward their retirement match and increase in the age you’re required to begin withdrawing from tax-deferred retirement accounts.

Higher savings cap: The IRS raises 2023 retirement savings cap, but few even hit it. Here’s what you can do about it.

How do 401(k)s work: What is a 401(k) and how does it work? What happens when you quit or get fired?

What is Secure Act 2.0?

Earlier this year, the House of Representatives passed the Securing a Strong Retirement Act of 2022, and the Senate approved The Enhancing American Retirement Now Act (EARN) and the Retirement Improvement and Savings Enhancement to Supplement Healthy Investments for the Nest Egg Act, (RISE & SHINE). These three bills are the basis for the Secure Act 2.0, which builds on the 2019 Secure Act.

The 2019 Secure Act included giving part-time workers better access to retirement benefits and increasing the age when required minimum distributions from certain retirement accounts must start to age 72 from 70½. If the Secure 2.0 Act passes, it would raise that age to 73 starting Jan. 1, 2023, and 75 by 2033.

401(k) auto-enrollment and other big changes to retirement plans in the omnibus bill for 2023

Saving for retirement is getting harder for millennials for these three reasons

401(k) changes for people paying off student loans

The Secure Act 2.0 is meant to help Americans save for retirement, but one particular proposal that would allow companies to contribute to 401(k) plans for an employee making student debt payments could help solve a problem affecting millions of people.

Eighty-four percent of adults said student loans limited the amount they’re able to save for retirement, according to a 2019 study by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Age Lab and financial services organization TIAA. Among those who weren’t saving for retirement at all, 26% said it was because they had to put their money toward paying off student loans.

How high with rising rates? Economists, markets are skeptical of the Fed hike plan

Is a 2023 recession coming: Job growth likely to slow sharply, companies brace for impact

“Employees, including those who are not in a position to contribute at all to their 401(k) accounts because of student loans, who participated in the new program could accumulate tens of thousands of dollars in their 401(k) accounts over a decade , which could be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars at retirement,” insurance company The Travelers Cos. said in a release announcing its Paying It Forward Savings Program in 2020.

The program considers student loan payments when determining the company’s 401(k) contribution. “That demonstrates the importance of starting to save for retirement early in order to realize the benefit of compounding returns over time,” Travelers said.

Although some companies have launched programs like Travelers’ to help their employees, the guidance included in the Secure 2.0 Act would make it easier for all businesses to do so.

The measure wouldn’t take effect until 2024.

Relief in sight? Debt relief will change the lives of some with student loans, but fall short for others.

How to maximize: The IRS raises 2023 retirement savings cap, but few even hit it. Here’s what you can do about it.

What else is included in Secure Act 2.0?

  • Automatic enrollment into new company retirement plans.

  • Increasing catch-up contribution limits for people 60 to 63.

  • Financial incentives for contributing to a plan.

  • Expanded access to retirement plans for long-term, part-time workers.

  • Expanded access to the Saver’s Credit (a tax credit for contributions) for lower- and middle-income employees.

  • Easier access to retirement accounts for emergencies.

If passed, it’ll be sent to President Joe Biden, who is expected to sign it into law. If the Secure 2.0 Act were taken out of the omnibus bill at the last minute, the entire legislative process would need to start over with the next Congress in January.

“It’s a tight window for passage, but it’s still likely because it’s such a bipartisan piece of legislation,” said Dave Stinnett, a principal who heads Vanguard Strategic Retirement Consulting.

Medora Lee and Elisabeth Buchwald are money, markets, and personal finance reporters at USA TODAY. Subscribe to our free Daily Money newsletter for personal finance tips and business news every Monday through Friday morning.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Secure 2.0 Act in Congress omnibus bill 2023. Here’s what’s included.

Recommended Posts

The Importance of Lifelong Learning for Career Growth

Employment News: Jobs Advertisement News And Newest Jobs News Updates They are dedicated to upholding WHO’s position in our altering world and inspiring the subsequent technology of leaders. They are outcomes oriented and drive programmes in all areas of health and emergencies. They are agile and work on the country, regional and headquarters levels to […]

 

The Best Pet-Friendly Plants for Your Home

32 Methods Having A Pet Can Lower Your Stress Levels “General recommendation on vaccinations is to contemplate the person threat along with your veterinarian,” she said. Chief Veterinarian at RSPCA Dr Liz Arnott advised 7NEWS.com.au, given the high facility rate of the illness, it was crucial to seek medical consideration if your dog grew to […]

 

The Rise of Edge Computing and Its Impact

Technology : Npr In this episode we converse with bit.bio about astrocytes and the way bit.bio’s innovative technology is reworking research on this space. His feedback were made the identical day that an unspecified wave of cuts hit Twitter’s gross sales division, which has misplaced virtually all of its senior leadership since Musk took over. […]