Spencer Williams

Trump Accounts for every child born in the U.S. from 2025 to 2028, the Saver's Match Program and auto portability represent a historic opportunity to move the needle.

Adopting technology that enables the seamless consolidation of 401(k) accounts at the point of job change can significantly fill the nation's retirement-savings gap.

Qualified individuals who participate in an employer-sponsored retirement plan or contribute to an IRA will receive a 50% federal matching contribution.

Technology innovation has made it easier for job-hopping working Americans of all ages to seed their nest eggs with portable savings.

These popular savings vehicles aren't designed to keep 401(k) balances subject to automatic distributions in a safe harbor over the long haul.

Amid cash-outs, stranded plans and suboptimal investments, a SECURE 2.0 provision runs the risk of expanding asset waste in the proverbial 401(k) landfill.

Roughly $1.6 trillion in savings would be preserved in the U.S. retirement system over 40 years if auto portability were adopted nationwide.

Sharp increases in 401(k) account withdrawals spell trouble for plan participants, sponsors and recordkeepers.

Authors of a recent study suggest educating employees about the consequences of premature withdrawals and allocating contributions to "sidecar" accounts.

Up to 63% of Black Americans and 57% of Latinos cash out accounts within a year of a job change.

Expanding auto portability to a larger population can significantly reduce leakage of retirement plan assets and help shore up savings.

If auto portability is broadly adopted across the U.S. over the course of 40 years, an additional estimated $1.5 trillion in savings will be preserved.

A more thoughtful approach to saving will help participants who rely on the defined contribution model stretch their dollars into life after work.

The Advancing Auto Portability Act of 2022 would encourage the widespread adoption of auto portability.

Harnessing auto portability ensures plan participants receive all their retirement savings, and can also reduce fiduciary liability for sponsors.

Tech solutions can help prevent plan participants who are quitting their jobs from forgetting about the 401(k) savings accounts they leave behind.

More than 15 years after the landmark legislation was passed into law, we now understand the challenges of workforce mobility — but we also know how to respond to them.

How can ongoing legislation support a more equitable future and retirement — for all Americans?

It’s not just about having retirement savings — it’s about accessing, consolidating, and planning.

14.8 million participants switch employers every year — and 33% of workers have stranded a 401(k) savings account in a former employer’s plan at least once.