Retirement Regulation

Next year, the new limits for health savings accounts and high-deductible health plans are a slight bump, following 2024's largest-ever increase to the amount employees can set aside in their accounts.

The Retirement Security Rule, finalized on April 23, is polarizing and is sure to face significant legal challenges (one lawsuit has already been filed), because the rule applies a new, heightened fiduciary duty to the insurance industry.

Younger workers are benefiting from auto enrollment by participating at higher rates than prior generations, while the Saver's Match program allows low-income workers to receive a match of up to $2,000 into their 401(k)s.

According to the DOL, the new fiduciary rule levels the playing field for insurance agents, brokers, financial planners and registered investment advisors to adhere to a best interest standard when providing investment advice.

To be well-positioned for the possibility of a Department of Labor audit, plan sponsors need to watch out for common errors, which include late deposits of employee contributions into the plan, failure to implement employee deferral elections and failure to provide required notices.

The Federation of Americans for Consumer Choice's lawsuit states that the Department of Labor's new "rushed" fiduciary rule is similar to a proposal struck down by the federal appeals court a decade ago.

Employers can help employees save by automating and incentivizing emergency savings, but it's key to customize messaging that is unique to a specific employee demographic to increase the likelihood of them taking action.

The new Saver's Match program launches in 2027, as a provision of SECURE 2.0, and allows low-income employees to receive a 50% federal matching contribution of up to $1,000, in addition to any employer match.