--- title: "Auto Portability 2019: The Year in Review" description: We’re excited about the 2020 prospects for auto portability. image: https://blog.rch1.com/hubfs/Set_Up_Images/Other_Generic_Images/ap2019review.png --- [![Retirement Clearinghouse Logo](https://blog.rch1.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Retirement_Clearinghouse_May2022/images/logo.png?width=1000&height=648&name=logo.png "Retirement Clearinghouse Logo")](https://rch1.com/) [Privacy Policy](https://securities.rch1.com/common/PrivacyStatement.pdf) [Sponsors/Service Providers](https://rch1.com/plan-sponsors) [Individuals](https://rch1.com/individuals) [Login](https://rch1.com/#) - [Home](https://rch1.com/home-page) - [Individuals](https://rch1.com/individuals) - [Individuals Home](https://rch1.com/individuals/individuals-home) - [Who is RCH?](https://rch1.com/individuals/who-is-rch) - [Why Does RCH Have My Retirement Savings?](https://rch1.com/individuals/why-does-rch-have-my-retirement-funds) - [Manage Your RCH IRA Account](https://rch1.com/individuals/manage-your-rch-ira-account) - 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[News](https://rch1.com/news) - [Press Releases](https://rch1.com/press-releases) - [Thought Leadership](https://rch1.com/thought-leadership) - [Consolidation Corner Blog](https://rch1.com/blog) - [Consolidation Corner Channel](https://rch1.com/consolidation-corner-channel) - [Events](https://rch1.com/events) - [Auto Portability](https://rch1.com/auto-portability) # Auto Portability 2019: The Year in Review #### [By Neal Ringquist](https://blog.rch1.com/blog/author/neal-ringquist) | January 2, 2020 ![ap2019review](https://blog.rch1.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Set_Up_Images/Other_Generic_Images/ap2019review.png?width=200&name=ap2019review.png)At [Retirement Clearinghouse (RCH)](https://rch1.com), we’re excited about the 2020 prospects for [auto portability](https://rch1.com/auto-portability/media-coverage).  Before we’re too far into a new decade, we wanted to pause, take a breath and share with you some highlights from 2019, a year that’s positioned the newest automatic, default plan feature for widespread adoption.        **Regulation** In July, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) released the [final Prohibited Transaction Exemption (PTE)](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/07/31/2019-16237/notice-of-exemption-involving-retirement-clearinghouse-llc-rch-or-the-applicant-located-in-charlotte) to RCH for our auto portability program, Along with the DOL’s prior [Advisory Opinion 2018-01A](https://www.dol.gov/sites/default/files/ebsa/employers-and-advisers/guidance/advisory-opinions/2018-01a.pdf?utm_campaign=Missing%20Participant%20Video%20Deck&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9PdNYFrEuHSV95U0LvdqVr3tstmn9X60y_9mDfXjndsRQxreMs3ISqkXSX4WJXjaWUm0t4), the DOL’s PTE finalized the regulatory framework for auto portability. **Research & Public Policy** In August, [independent research](https://www.ebri.org/publications/research-publications/issue-briefs/content/the-impact-of-auto-portability-on-preserving-retirement-savings-currently-lost-to-401(k)-cashout-leakage) from the [Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI)](http://ebri.org/) validated the benefits auto portability would deliver as 1) a standalone policy initiative, 2) in tandem with other expanded access policy initiatives, and 3) to specific demographic segments, including women and Millennials.  In October, an [Issue Brief](https://32b14e19-461b-4dab-96e0-3640ae528488.filesusr.com/ugd/9fc66a_94fb03d32cbe4c10aa4bc40f5d801abf.pdf) released by the DC-based [Savings Preservation Working Group](https://preservingsavings.org) provided the most comprehensive and authoritative analysis to-date of the 401(k) cashout leakage problem, estimated to be as high as $105 billion annually.  **Webinars** In March, [EBRI Research Director Jack VanDerhei](https://www.ebri.org/about/staff/jack-vanderhei) conducted a [webinar](https://blog.rch1.com/blog/ebri-webinar-extends-auto-portabilitys-benefits-to-young-millennials) addressing auto portability’s benefits to Millennials. In April, industry expert [Michael Kreps](https://www.groom.com/bios/michael-kreps/), Principal, Groom Law Group, weighed in on auto portability, [noting in a LIMRA webinar](https://blog.rch1.com/blog/limra-webinar-features-michael-kreps-update-on-auto-portability) that auto portability has the potential to deliver “an enormous boost to the industry and to participants in general.”   Finally, in September, RCH’s [Spencer Williams](https://rch1.com/management-team/j-spencer-williams) and [Neal Ringquis](https://rch1.com/management-team/neal-ringquist-)t participated in an [American Benefits Counci](https://www.americanbenefitscouncil.org/)l [webinar](https://www.americanbenefitscouncil.org/pub/?id=4DCCFECB-1866-DAAC-99FB-FEF8ADC8603E), presenting auto portability’s potential to address the industry’s [missing participant problem.](https://rch1.com/plan-sponsors/addressing-the-problem-of-missing-participants) **Media Coverage** 2019 witnessed extensive media coverage of auto portability, with over 120 articles in a combination of national media outlets such as [The Wall Street Journal](https://www.wsj.com/articles/it-may-soon-get-easier-to-move-your-401-k-when-switching-jobs-11560132720), [CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/video/2019/09/12/bet-founder-trump-has-done-positive-things-for-the-economy.html), [Forbes](https://www.forbes.com/sites/rickunser/2019/12/19/can-you-successfully-automate-your-retirement-savings/#875fc06b905a) and [Medium](https://medium.com/mercer-insights/successful-retirement-plans-need-to-work-for-job-changers-thats-most-of-us-7cf9b29789f9), as well as industry coverage from [PLANSPONSOR](https://www.plansponsor.com/newly-sanctioned-auto-portability-solution-boost-retirement-savings-trillions/), [Pensions & Investments](https://www.pionline.com/defined-contribution/401k-auto-portability-making-critical-turn-toward-acceptance), [Employee Benefit News](https://www.benefitnews.com/news/dol-guidance-gives-ok-to-retirement-savings-auto-portability-program), [NAPA Net](https://www.napa-net.org/news/2022/1/ebri-auto-features-savers-credit-boost-could-slash-retirement-deficits/), [SHRM](https://www.shrm.org/about/bio/steve-miller) and many more.  For a full listing with hyperlinks, visit our [auto portability media coverage page](https://rch1.com/auto-portability/media-coverage). **Looking Ahead** In 2020, we anticipate continued industry focus on the benefits of auto portability, including new research from EBRI on the incremental benefits of auto portability on reducing the retirement savings shortfall (RSS) if coupled with the coverage initiatives in the recently passed SECURE Act.   More importantly, in 2020 we also anticipate the first wave of auto portability’s adoption.  We’ll continue to report these latest developments and more in our [Consolidation Corner blog](https://blog.rch1.com/blog), and on the RCH1.com website, at [https://rch1.com/auto-portability/recent-developments](https://rch1.com/auto-portability). [Back](https://blog.rch1.com/blog) [![Retirement Clearinghouse An RLJ Company](https://blog.rch1.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Retirement_Clearinghouse_May2022/images/footer_logo.png?width=1000&height=648&name=footer_logo.png "Retirement Clearinghouse An RLJ Company")](https://rch1.com/) 1916 Ayrsley Town Boulevard Suite 200 Charlotte, NC 28273 - [Individuals](https://rch1.com/individuals) - [Plan Sponsors](https://rch1.com/plan-sponsors) - [Auto Portability](https://rch1.com/auto-portability) - [Company](https://rch1.com/company) - [News & Information](https://rch1.com/news) - [Mission](https://rch1.com/company/mission) - [Careers](https://rch1.com/company/careers) - [Contact Us](https://rch1.com/contact-us) - [Logins](https://rch1.com/#) - [Disclosure Central](https://rch1.com/individuals/learning-center/resources-%26-downloads) - [Do Not Sell or Share](https://blog.rch1.com/blog/auto-portability-2019-the-year-in-review#decline-cookies) - [My Personal Information](https://blog.rch1.com/blog/auto-portability-2019-the-year-in-review#decline-cookies) - - - Individuals should consult their tax advisers or legal counsel for advice and information concerning their particular situation. 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