Category: Washington Update
Washington Update: Tax Reform Rearing Its Head Again
(May 2, 2013)—ASPPA CEO Brian Graff explains how the upcoming debt ceiling deadline and the impending retirement of Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT) could trigger the full bore tax reform effort for which the industry has been bracing.
View PostASPPA & NTSAA Request Changes to IRS Pre-approved Plans Program
ASPPA’s General Counsel Craig Hoffman issues comment letters to the IRS on their pre-approved plan programs.
View PostWashington Update: Obama’s Budget is a Retirement Plan Killer
ASPPA CEO Brian Graff slams two provisions in the President’s FY 2014 budget proposal. The first of these two “retirement plan clunkers” in the budget would result in double taxation of 401(k) plan contributions. The second “clunker” is the new $3 million lifetime aggregate cap on DC plans and IRAs.
View PostWashington Update: Facts on the New California Retirement Model
CEO and executive director of ASPPA Brian Graff clarifies the details of pending legislation in California on retirement plan coverage. The legislation requires employers to offer a plan to their employees, but does not require employers to use a single provider or state-run program.
View PostWashington Update: Tax Reform on the Horizon
Since Congress passed a last minute deal to alleviate the fiscal cliff, tax reform has taken a backseat to other issues. ASPPA CEO Brian Graff talks about a working group that Congress created to study retirement plan tax incentives. Graff urges members to spread the word about savemy401k.com and tell Congress to preserve the retirement tax incentives that power American workers retirement.
View PostWashington Update: Fiscal Cliff 2
ASPPA CEO Brian Graff defines the issue and key players of “Fiscal Cliff 2″ and why the process will be a challenge to lawmakers and how it will all impact retirement professionals. Graff warns that things will heat up in Washington around the end of February, when the debt ceiling is reached, sequestration begins, and lawmakers begin looking for more revenue.
View PostThe Road to Retirement
While fiscal cliff negotiations are putting tax incentives for retirement savings on the front line, eleven members of congress voiced their support for the employer-based retirement system by co-sponsoring the ‘Sense of the Congress’ Senators Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Isakson (R-Ga.) filed December 6.
View PostWashington Update – Fiscal Cliff Negotiations
ASPPA’s CEO Brian Graff discusses recent developments in negotiations on the impending “fiscal cliff.” He discusses the strategies of both Republicans and Democrats, and goes into detail on various proposals and negotiating stances of both groups. Graff explores the likelihood of America “going over the cliff” and highlights the importance of leadership from the White House as time runs out for politicians to make a deal.
View PostVideo—Washington Update
Washington Update: Impact of the 2012 Election on the Retirement Industry November 07, 2012—ASPPA’s Executive Director Brian Graff breaks down the results of the 2012 national election, calling it a “status quo” election with the Democrats maintaining control over the White House and Senate while Republicans continue their control of the House of Representatives. He discusses [...]
View PostWashington Update—Tax Reform 2013
Leading with a bullhorn and a battle cry, ASPPA’s Executive Director and CEO Brian Graff called on attendees of the 2012 ASPPA Annual Meeting to marshal their resources and get ready for what lies ahead—namely tax reform—and don’t allow history to repeat itself.
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