House Committee Approves Pension Bill

Blackout periods are intervals during with 401(k) plan participants are not allowed to make changes in their account. This usually happens during when a plan changes recordkeepers.

In addition, the legislation says that plan sponsors have a fiduciary responsibility for workers' investment during blackout periods.

The legislation also requires sponsors to give workers quarterly benefit statements that include information about the value of their assets and their rights to diversify.

Finally, H.R. 3762 includes language from the Retirement Security Advice Act, H.R. 2269, which has already passed the House, that would allow insurance companies, agents and other financial service firms that provide services to plans to also provide investment advice to plan participants, subject to strict disclosure rules.

This investment advice language is strongly supported by agents and companies.

Kathryn Ricard, vice president for retirements and pension with the American Council of Life Insurers, Washington, says the investment advice language will help ensure that plan participants have access to a wide range of financial professionals as they make their investment decisions about retirement savings.