New Rules Aim To Provide Better Information For Retirement Plans

Last week, the US Department of Labor announced new rules that are designed to provide better information on retirement investment accounts for all workers.  The two new rules are designed to enhance retirement security and transparency for the millions of workers covered by 401(k), pension and other retirement arrangements. The announcement was part of the White House Middle Class Task Force‘s year-end report, which Vice President Joe Biden released at last week’s event.

The first of the two rules would ensure workers receive unbiased advice about how to invest in their individual retirement accounts or 401(k) plans. If the rule is adopted, it would put in place safeguards preventing investment advisors from slanting their advice for their own financial benefit. Investment advisors also would be required to disclose their fees, and computer models used to offer advice would have to be certified as objective and unbiased.   The department estimates that 2 million workers and 13 million IRA holders would benefit from this rule to the tune of $6 billion.

The second rule announced last week that goes into effect April 2010, establishes new guidelines on the disclosure of funding and other financial information to workers participating in multiemployer retirement plans — those collectively bargained by unions and groups of employers. It will ensure transparency by guaranteeing workers can better monitor the financial condition and day-to-day operations of their retirement investments.

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"A secure retirement is essential to workers and the nation’s economy. Along with Social Security and personal savings, secure retirement allows Americans to remain in the middle class when their working days are done. And, the money in the retirement system brings tremendous pools of investment capital, creating jobs and expanding our economy," said U.S. Deputy Secretary of Labor Seth Harris. "These rules will strengthen America’s private retirement system by ensuring workers get good, objective information. When that happens, workers make the kind of decisions that are good for their families and the nation as the whole."

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