For a number of years, policymakers have been focused on finding ways to help Americans become better financially prepared for retirement. Studies have found having access to payroll-deduction retirement savings plans at work makes it 15 times more likely Americans will save for the future. Consequently, policymakers have
focused their attention on smaller companies. About 36 percent of Americans work for companies with fewer than 100 employees, and many of these businesses do not offer retirement plans.
Last July, Oregon launched OregonSaves, the state’s auto-IRA program. Companies that don’t have workplace retirement plans are required to facilitate the program by:
• Providing information to set up Roth IRA accounts for employees
• Making payroll deductions to the Roth accounts
• Delivering updated employee information.
California, Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland, and Massachusetts are working on similar programs.
Some business owners have embraced the auto-IRA opportunity, while others object to having the government involved.
A Pew Charitable Trusts survey of 1,600 small and mid-sized business owners found 51 percent would prefer to sponsor their own retirement plans rather than participate in a state-run plan. Many employers who participated in focus groups were not aware low-cost retirement plan options are available in the marketplace. Pew researchers noted:
“Most [small and medium-sized employers] did not have a full understanding of how 401(k) plans work, and few were familiar with plans or incentives designed for small businesses, such as the Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) Plan, the Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees (SIMPLE), or the small employer tax credit for retirement plan startup costs.”
If you’re interested in learning more about retirement plan options for small businesses, sole proprietorships, or freelancers, contact us.
231-720-0743 or info@braeburnwealth.com
Weekly Commentary for December 4, 2017
photo by: Piggy Bank with retirement growth plan formula isolated on white background David Franklin | Dreamstime