States Step in to Boost 401(k) Savings
Some states are providing a savings option for workers without an employer-sponsored plan.
Tobias Read is the state treasurer of Oregon.
Oregon is one of six states that require employers that don’t have a 401(k) or other retirement savings plan to offer a state-sponsored plan to their workers. How successful has OregonSaves been in encouraging more people to save for retirement? Our goal was to remove as many barriers and sources of intimidation as possible. And from that standpoint we feel we’re doing really well. As of mid June, we had close to 86,000 enrolled accounts. In a little less than two years, more than $20 million has been accumulated by these folks, and what’s especially impressive is that most of them had never saved before.
Several other states are considering offering state-sponsored retirement plans. What advice do you have for them? We learned to work closely with business groups and advocates, and we’ve made it easier for employers by integrating our system with some of the biggest payroll providers, such as Paychex. We all want to make it as easy as possible for both employers and savers.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
In recent testimony before the U.S. Senate Finance Committee, you suggested that another way to improve the retirement savings rate was to allow individuals as young as 16 to invest in an IRA. Why do you think this is a good idea? It’s very simple: compound interest. We should not, in my view, put up any barriers to someone getting started as soon as they’re working. I can recall working at a bike shop when I was in high school, and if I had been auto-enrolled at that time, it would have been a good thing. If young people are going to join the workforce, they shouldn’t be denied the opportunity to save. I was fortunate to get into the savings habit early with my first job out of college, but it sure would’ve been even better to have started at 16.
But how do you convince a 16-year-old to save for retirement instead of spending the money? Information and access are the keys. We have to develop financial tools that meet the needs and realities of those who are looking for advice. Financial technology tools and social media offer a number of opportunities that are just being grasped. I reject the notion that “the younger generation” isn’t financially savvy. They face a number of headwinds, including rising student debt.
Get Kiplinger Today newsletter — free
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.
Rivan joined Kiplinger on Leap Day 2016 as a reporter for Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine. A Michigan native, she graduated from the University of Michigan in 2014 and from there freelanced as a local copy editor and proofreader, and served as a research assistant to a local Detroit journalist. Her work has been featured in the Ann Arbor Observer and Sage Business Researcher. She is currently assistant editor, personal finance at The Washington Post.
-
Stock Market Today: Dow Climbs 288 Points After Amazon, Intel Earnings
Post-earnings strength from Amazon and Intel helped cushion the blow of a disappointing October jobs report.
By David Dittman Published
-
Nvidia Stock Is Joining the Dow. Is It Time to Buy?
Nvidia will replace Intel in the Dow Jones Industrial Average this Friday. What does it mean for the stock?
By Dan Burrows Published
-
Medicare Basics: 11 Things You Need to Know
Medicare There's Medicare Part A, Part B, Part D, Medigap plans, Medicare Advantage plans and so on. We sort out the confusion about signing up for Medicare — and much more.
By Catherine Siskos Last updated
-
Six of the Worst Assets to Inherit
inheritance Leaving these assets to your loved ones may be more trouble than it’s worth. Here's how to avoid adding to their grief after you're gone.
By David Rodeck Last updated
-
403(b) Contribution Limits for 2024: Good News for Teachers
retirement plans Teachers and nonprofit workers can contribute more to a 403(b) retirement plan in 2024 than they could in 2023.
By Jackie Stewart Last updated
-
SEP IRA Contribution Limits for 2024
SEP IRA A good option for small business owners, SEP IRAs allow individual annual contributions of as much as $69,000 a year.
By Jackie Stewart Last updated
-
Roth IRA Contribution Limits for 2024 and 2025
Roth IRAs Roth IRA contribution limits have gone up. Here's what you need to know.
By Jackie Stewart Last updated
-
SIMPLE IRA Contribution Limits for 2024
simple IRA The SIMPLE IRA contribution limit increased by $500 for 2024 and workers at small businesses can contribute up to $16,000 or $19,500 if 50 or over.
By Jackie Stewart Last updated
-
457 Contribution Limits for 2024
retirement plans State and local government workers can contribute more to their 457 plans in 2024 than in 2023.
By Jackie Stewart Published
-
Roth 401(k) Contribution Limits for 2024
retirement plans The Roth 401(k) contribution limit for 2024 is increasing, and workers who are 50 and older can save even more.
By Jackie Stewart Last updated