What potential benefits could arise from allowing CITs in 403(b) plans? How could it provide plan sponsors with more flexibility in managing investments?
What potential benefits could arise from allowing CITs in 403(b) plans? How could it provide plan sponsors with more flexibility in managing investments?
The Secure 2.0 Act and the CITs Dilemma:
A proposed bill is aiming to fix a loophole in the Secure 2.0 Act that has prevented some 403(b) retirement plans from including collective investment trusts (CITs) as an investment option. The Secure 2.0 Act, which was passed in 2019, introduced several reforms aimed at expanding retirement savings opportunities, but some 403(b) plan sponsors have found it difficult to comply with the law’s requirements.
The proposed bill, known as the Collective Investment Trusts for Retirement Security Act, seeks to address this issue by allowing CITs to be included in 403(b) plans. CITs are investment vehicles that pool the assets of multiple investors, often with lower fees and greater flexibility than other types of funds. However, current law prohibits CITs from being offered in 403(b) plans, even though they are allowed in other types of retirement plans.
Bipartisan Support and the Legislative Process:
Supporters of the bill argue that allowing CITs in 403(b) plans would provide plan sponsors with more options for managing their investments, potentially leading to greater retirement savings for participants. The bill has received bipartisan support in Congress, with lawmakers from both parties recognizing the need to address the Secure 2.0 loophole.
What could allowing CITs in 403(b) plans mean for retirement savings? How might it improve outcomes for plan participants?
If the bill is passed, it could have significant implications for the retirement savings landscape. Plan sponsors would have greater flexibility in designing their investment lineups, potentially leading to better outcomes for participants. Additionally, allowing CITs in 403(b) plans could open new opportunities for asset managers and other investment professionals.
While the bill is still in the early stages of the legislative process, it represents an important step forward for retirement policy. By addressing the Secure 2.0 loophole and allowing CITs in 403(b) plans, lawmakers are working to create a more robust retirement system that better serves the needs of plan sponsors and participants alike.
