Thomas Hawkins
As Retirement Clearinghouse's Senior Vice President of Marketing & Research, Tom Hawkins oversees RCH's marketing and research initiatives, including development of original content, RCH's internet presence, digital marketing and industry research, and is a Certified Blockchain Expert.
Consolidation Corner Blog
Consolidation Corner is the Retirement Clearinghouse (RCH) blog, and features the latest articles and bylines from our executives, addressing important retirement savings portability topics.
The Demographics of 401(k) Cashout Leakage
Cashout leakage, a long-standing problem in America’s defined contribution system, is a silent crisis that unnecessarily robs millions of Americans of a comfortable, timely or secure retirement. Plagued by misunderstanding and neglect, it’s vitally important to understand the problem and to take decisive action to curb it.
Spotlight on Cashout Leakage: The Fundamentals
Cashout leakage, a long-standing problem in America’s defined contribution system, is a silent crisis that unnecessarily robs millions of Americans of a comfortable, timely or secure retirement. Plagued by misunderstanding and neglect, it’s vitally important to understand the problem and to take decisive action to curb it.
The first of a five-part series, this article addresses the fundamentals of cashout leakage.
How Auto Portability Serves Participants’ Best Interests: Part 5
In this series, I identify five key reasons why an auto portability program serves the best interests of plan participants.
Previously: In Part 1, I examined the dramatically improved participant outcomes that will result from a program of auto portability. In Part 2, I described how auto portability, by enhancing and extending automatic rollover programs, represents an enhanced standard of participant care. In Part 3, I presented evidence that the adoption of auto portability could lead to a reduction in plan expenses. In Part 4, I addressed how auto portability could enhance 401(k) participants’ financial wellness.
In part 5, my final installment of the series, I explain how auto portability can mitigate retirement-related cybersecurity risks.
How Auto Portability Serves Participants’ Best Interests - Part 4: Auto Portability Enhances Participants' Financial Wellness
In this five-part series, I identify five key reasons why an auto portability program serves the best interests of plan participants. Previously:
- In Part 1, I examined the dramatically improved participant outcomes that will result from a program of auto portability.
- In Part 2, I described how auto portability, by enhancing and extending automatic rollover programs, represents an enhanced standard of participant care.
- In Part 3, I presented evidence that the adoption of auto portability could lead to a reduction in plan expenses.
In Part 4, I address how auto portability could enhance 401(k) participants’ financial wellness.
LIMRA Webinar Features Michael Kreps’ Update on Auto Portability
On April 16th, as part of their Strategic Issues Webinar Series, the LIMRA Secure Retirement Institute delivered the webinar Regulatory and Legislative Trends Impacting the U.S. Retirement System. The LIMRA webinar featured presenter Michael Kreps, Principal, Groom Law Group, and was moderated by Judy Zaiken, Corporate Vice President, LIMRA.
EBRI Webinar Examines Impact of Tenure on Retirement Savings
On April 10th, the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) featured the webinar EBriefing: Trends in Employee Tenure, showcasing the latest EBRI research examining broad employee tenure trends over time, and the impact that shorter tenure can have on retirement savings. The webinar’s presenters included Craig Copeland, Senior Research Associate, EBRI and Spencer Williams, President & CEO, Retirement Clearinghouse (RCH), and was moderated by Stacy Schaus, Founder & CEO, Schaus Group LLC.
America's 401(k) System is Unsustainable - Let's Fix It
On Earth Day 2019, as we focus on creating a sustainable and eco-friendly environment, it's worth considering how the application of similar principles would benefit our retirement system. America’s 401(k) system is unsustainable – urgently requiring an upgrade to effectively deliver on its intended goal – helping millions of Americans enjoy a timely and comfortable retirement. The good news is that we're beginning to see important signs of action that could ultimately address the problem.
How Auto Portability Serves Participants’ Best Interests - Part 3: Auto Portability Could Lower Plan Expenses
In this five-part series, I identify five key reasons why an auto portability program serves the best interests of plan participants. Previously:
- In Part 1, I examined the dramatically improved participant outcomes that will result from a program of auto portability.
- In Part 2, I described how auto portability, by enhancing and extending automatic rollover programs, represents an enhanced standard of participant care.
In Part 3, I present evidence that the adoption of auto portability could lead to a reduction in plan expenses.
EBRI Webinar Extends Auto Portability’s Benefits to Young Millennials
In their March 20th webinar "Achieving Retirement Income Equivalency Between Final-Average-Pay Defined Benefit Plans and Automatic Enrollment 401(k) Plans in the Private Sector", the Employee Benefits Research Institute (EBRI) revealed more research that supports the case for auto portability.
How Auto Portability Serves Participants’ Best Interests - Part 2: An Enhanced Standard of Participant Care
In this series, I identify five key reasons why an auto portability program serves the best interests of plan participants.
Previously, in Part 1, I examined the dramatically improved participant outcomes that will result from a program of auto portability.
In Part 2, I describe how auto portability, by enhancing and extending automatic rollover programs, represents an enhanced standard of care for participants.