John Iekel

Snow may have rained down in much of the country in abundance, but February was a hot month for private-sector pension plans, according to recent analyses. October Three, Wilshire and Aon report good news for private-sector DB plans in February. How hot? In its report, Wilshire quotes Managing... READ MORE

The Congressional Research Service (CRS) has issued information about the updated thresholds for the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO) for 2024.  The updated information is contained in an annual report the CRS issues concerning the WEP and the GPO. Both... READ MORE

The solvency of Social Security is not a new concern. It’s been on a slow—or, at times, high—burn for more than 40 years. Proposals to address the problem are almost as numerous as the warnings about it; in a recent report, the Congressional Research Service takes a look at the potential impact of... READ MORE

A bill currently before the Georgia legislature would affect the exercise of fiduciary duty regarding the investment of retirement plan assets. The legislation includes a provision that would require a fiduciary to put the interests of participants and their beneficiaries ahead of “nonpecuniary... READ MORE

Editor’s Note: This is part I of a two-part series. It’s not unusual for older generations to look askance at their younger counterparts and dismiss them with a harumph at the thought that one day they will come to the fore. But some recent data suggests that in the case of the youngest... READ MORE

The New Mexico Senate is considering a request for a study regarding equalization of teachers’ pensions with those of public employees.  Sen. Mimi Stewart (D-Bernalillo), President Pro Tempore of the New Mexico Senate, on Jan. 18 introduced SM 4, a bill requesting that the Legislative Finance... READ MORE

The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) has updated its Pension Insurance Data Tables concerning its Single-Employer and Multiemployer Programs. Overall, there is good news in the new figures.  The tables summarize information on PBGC’s Single-Employer and Multiemployer Insurance Programs... READ MORE

Georgia may join sister states in establishing a state-run retirement plan to provide coverage for private-sector employees whose employers do not, if a measure now before the Senate is enacted.  Sen. Chuck Hufstetler (R-52) introduced SB 477 on Feb. 9, 2024. It calls for the creation of the Peach... READ MORE

Student loan debt has long been said to be a drag on retirement saving, and a just-released report adds fuel to the fire.  Not only is student loan debt an immediate and long-term financial burden, it also has a “statistically significant” effect on retirement accounts, says a new issue brief by... READ MORE