Senator Calls for New Retirement Tax Incentives
National Underwriter (Life and Health Financial Services (01/28/04) Vol. 32, No. 1 p.3; Brostoff, Steven
Senate Special Committee on Aging Chairman Larry Craig
(R-Idaho) wants Congress to make federal tax laws more favorable for
retirement savings, and says he will work to boost the personal saving
rate in the United States. National Center for Policy Analysis
President John Goodman agrees that current tax legislation is biased
against saving and investment, and suggests creating a new kind of
401(k) plan that would automatically enroll eligible employees and have
an initial minimum contribution rate of 4 percent to 6 percent unless
employees choose otherwise. Goodman's plan would also add "premixed
efficient portfolios" or a professional-directed investment option to
participants' investment options, and would encourage companies to offer
employees access to investment advice, in addition to barring cashouts
if employment is terminated prior to retirement, disability, or death.