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Plan Sponsor Council of America Joins American Retirement Association

In a big move for the retirement industry, the Plan Sponsor Council of America (PSCA) will join the American Retirement Association (ARA), under the terms of a combination agreement signed by the Boards of Directors of both organizations.

Effective Dec. 29, 2017, PSCA will become a membership division of the American Retirement Association, alongside the four other premier retirement organizations that currently comprise the American Retirement Association: the American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries (ASPPA), the ASPPA College of Pension Actuaries (ACOPA), the National Association of Plan Advisors (NAPA) and the National Tax-deferred Savings Association (NTSA).

While there are other organizations that represent the interests of employers, PSCA brings to the table a unique history of more than 70 years of actively and effectively representing the perspective of plan sponsors on retirement issues. PSCA produces extensive benchmarking surveys, including its widely cited annual 401(k), 403(b), HSA and non-qualified deferred compensation (NQDC) surveys; sponsors a well-regarded annual National Conference and regional city events; and produces education and plan-sponsor related content offered through its DC Insights magazine, webcasts and other professional development resources.

“Throughout its half-century history, our associations have evolved along with America’s retirement system,” noted Brian Graff, CEO of the American Retirement Association. “With the addition of this key constituency, the American Retirement Association truly becomes the voice of the nation’s private retirement system.”

For PSCA, the move represents an opportunity to offer its members access to an expanded array of resources and educational services, while at the same time amplifying the long-standing independent voice of the plan sponsor alongside a wide array of retirement plan industry professions. For the American Retirement Association, the addition of PSCA adds the important voice of plan sponsors and strengthens the organization’s ability to advocate for the private, voluntary retirement system.

“The issues that the retirement industry faces today are increasingly critical, and the ability to add plan sponsors – a key constituent voice – to that of the ARA allows us to speak with an even more comprehensive perspective, amplify our message, and have an even greater impact at this crucial juncture,” noted Graff.

PSCA would join the ARA as a fifth membership division effective Jan. 1, 2018, if approved by the membership of both organizations. Accordingly, the ARA Board of Directors has recommended for approval an amendment to Article 2 of the Association’s Bylaws to add the Plan Sponsor Council of America as a sister affiliate. NAPA members will receive a ballot on that issue this afternoon (Nov. 15). If you do not receive a copy within 24 hours, please contact Customer Care at [email protected] or via phone at 703.516.9300 (M-F 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Eastern).

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