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State Auto-IRA Plans

Welcome to our resource center for state-run auto-IRA plans for private-sector employees! Here you’ll find links to our archive of news and commentary on state-run plans, as well as links to state laws that have been enacted, regulations and guidance on state-run plans from the U.S. Department of Labor, and some of our favorite resources on state-run plans.

What did we miss? If you have a favorite resource that we overlooked, let us know by contacting Editorial Director John Ortman.

Updated May 17, 2022

News and Commentary

Browse our archive of news posts and commentary on state-run plans.

Recommended Resources

Connecticut's New Mandatory Auto-Enrollment Program (Davis Beck, PASI, LLC, May 2022)

State-Administered IRA Programs: Overview and Considerations for Congress (CRS, updated March 18, 2020)

Availability of State Auto-IRAs Appears to Complement Private Market for Retirement Plans (June 17, 2021)
This study by Pew Charitable Trusts uses DOL data in states with auto-IRA plans.

Monthly State Program Performance Data and Trends
Data are compiled and updated monthly by the Georgetown University Center for Retirement Initiatives.

State Auto-IRAs: The Wrong Answer (18 pages, Winter 2017)
This report from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce identifies faults in the state-run auto-IRA model and suggests alternative solutions to the coverage problem.

Comparisons of Plan Design Features (June 15, 2016)
Two reports published by Georgetown University’s Center for Retirement Initiatives compare the plan features of the programs in California, Illinois, Oregon, Maryland, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Washington and New Jersey.

Interactive State Map
An interactive U.S. map created and kept up to date by Georgetown University’s Center for Retirement Initiatives.

Status of State Efforts
A comprehensive collection of summaries of state plans that have either passed or are being considered, by the Pension Rights Center.

AARP’s State Policy Research List
An extensive list of studies and research on state-run plans. Most listings align with AARP’s policy position supporting state-run plans.

American Retirement Association Comment Letter on State IRA Programs (7 pages, Jan. 15, 2016)

State Laws

California Secure Choice Retirement Savings and Trust Act (SB 1234)
Visit the State Treasurer’s website for more information about the program.

Colorado Secure Savings Program (SB 20-200)
The program's website is here.

Connecticut Retirement Security Program (Pub. Act 16-29)
The Connecticut Retirement Security Board’s website is here.

Illinois Secure Choice Savings Program Act (Pub. Act 98-1150)
Visit the State Treasurer’s website for a list of Secure Choice Board members and minutes from Board meetings.

Maine's Act to Promote Individual Retirement Savings through a Public-Private Partnership (April 28, 2021)

Maryland Small Business Retirement Savings Program and Trust (HB 1378)
The website of Maryland’s Commission on Maryland Retirement Security & Savings is here.

New Jersey Secure Choice Savings Program Act (A 4275)

Oregon Retirement Savings Plan (HB 2960)
Visit the OregonSaves website for more information about the program.

Virginia State-Facilitated IRA Savings Program (VirginiaSaves) (HB 2174, Feb. 27, 2021)

Washington RCW 43.330.730-750
The Washington Retirement Marketplace website is here.

Federal Regulations and Guidance

DOL Regulatory Safe Harbor: “Savings Arrangements Established by Qualified State Political Subdivisions for Non-Governmental Employees”
The DOL issued this ERISA safe-harbor rule for auto-IRA plans maintained by large cities or counties on Dec. 20, 2016.

DOL Final Rule: “Savings Arrangements Established by States for Non-Governmental Employees”
The DOL issued this final safe-harbor rule on state auto-IRA plans Aug. 25, 2016.

DOL Proposed Rule: “Savings Arrangements Established by State Political Subdivisions for Non-Governmental Employees”
This proposed rule was issued Aug. 25, 2016, in conjunction with the release of the DOL’s final rule on state-run IRA programs (see item above). It was repealed April 13, 2017 by Pub. Law 115-24 (see “H.J. Res 67” below).

DOL Safe-Harbor Proposed Rule
In November 2015 the DOL issued a proposed rule creating a safe harbor for state laws that require employers to facilitate enrollment in state auto-IRA plans. The rule was finalized Aug. 25, 2016 (see item above).

Litigation

Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Foundation v. Calif. Secure Choice Program (Oct. 12, 2021)
This petition for a writ of certiorari was denied by the U.S. Supreme Court on March 1, 2022, leaving the 2019 decision by the lower court in place.

ERIC v. Oregon Retirement Savings Board (19 pages, Oct. 12, 2017)
This complaint from the ERISA Industry Committee charges that an employer reporting mandate in the state’s OregonSaves program obstructs ERISA.

ARA Comment Letters 

Comment on the Proposed Rules to Implement the Oregon Retirement Savings Plan (2 pages, Feb. 21, 2017)

Re: Savings Arrangements Established by States for Non-Governmental Employees (4 pages,  Sept. 27, 2016)

Comment on the Final Report to the California Secure Choice Retirement Savings Investment Board (2 pages, March 4, 2016)

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