1. Governmental Initiatives
Washington Update:
New DOL and
Governmental Initiatives
Marcia S. Wagner, Esq.

2. Introduction – Transformative Changes
Accelerating Pace of Regulatory Change
Participant investment advice rule
Plan-level fee disclosures
Participant-level investment disclosures
Proposals from Lifetime Income Project
Lifetime income illustrations
Longevity annuities
Watershed: DOL fiduciary proposal
New fiduciaries
Stricter compliance
Rollovers become a fiduciary act

3. Agenda 1. Fiduciary Proposal 2. Rollovers 3. Tax Reform
4. Regulatory Initiatives

4. Background for DOL Proposal
Evolution of Retirement Marketplace
Existing “fiduciary” definition was issued in 1975
Many financial advisors (including brokers) are not fiduciaries under existing definition
DOL’s Initial Proposal (2010)
Withdrawn amidst controversy
DOL releases new proposal on April 20, 2015

5. Existing ERISA Definition
Fiduciary Status
Person who provides “investment advice” relating to plan assets for compensation
Not a fiduciary if no investment advice is given
5-Prong Definition for “Investment Advice”
Making investment recommendations
On regular basis
Mutual understanding
Primary basis for plan’s decisions
Individualized to plan’s needs

6. Proposed Fiduciary Definition
Fiduciary Status
Person who provides “investment advice” for compensation to plans, plan fiduciaries, participants, IRAs and IRA owners
4-Prong Definition for “Investment Advice”
Making covered recommendations
Understanding (does not need to be mutual)
Individualized or specifically directed to recipient
For consideration by recipient (need not be primary basis)

7. Scope of Investment Advice
Covered Recommendations
Investment recommendations, including taking/investing rollovers
Investment management recommendations, including management of rollover assets
Giving appraisal or fairness opinion
Recommending person who provides any of above services for compensation

8. Acknowledging Fiduciary Status
Deemed “Investment Advice”
Advisor makes covered recommendations
Represents or acknowledges that it is a fiduciary with respect to advice
No written acknowledgement is required
Fiduciary status applies automatically, even if proposed 4-prong definition is not met

9. Observations on Proposed Definition
Proposed Changes to “Investment Advice”
Includes one-time advice (without “regular basis” condition)
No need for "mutual understanding” of parties
Advice merely needs to be specifically directed to recipient (and does not need to be individualized)
Recipient merely needs to consider advice when making decision (even if not “primary basis”)
Expressly revises definition to cover investment management recommendations

10. Carve-Out for Investment Education
Similar to Current Safe Harbor (IB 96-1)
Plan Information
General Financial/Retirement Information
Asset Allocation Models
Interactive Investment Materials
Observations
Carve-out applies to both plan and IRA clients
Expanded to include retirement income guidance
Education must not refer to specific investment products
Asset allocation models and interactive materials cannot reference plan’s investment alternatives

11. Proposed Exemption Need for “ERISA 406(b)” Exemptive Relief
Proposed “investment advice” definition confers fiduciary status on all types of advisors
Prohibited transaction rules ban advisors from earning variable compensation (commissions)
Exemption required for brokers and insurance agents, including advisors to IRAs
DOL proposed Best Interest Contract Exemption

12. Best Interest Contract Exemption (BICE)
Retail Scope of Proposed Exemption
Permits fiduciary advisor to earn variable compensation (commissions) for services to:
Participants
IRA owners
Sponsors of small, non-participant-directed plans (less than 100 participants)
Observations
No exemptive relief for small, participant-directed plans (DOL requesting comments)
No exemptive relief for large plan sponsors (participant-directed or otherwise)

13. Products Covered by BICE
Covered Products
Bank deposits and CDs
Mutual funds, ETFs, CIFs and insurance company separate accounts
Exchange-traded REITs
Corporate bonds (registered offering) and equity securities (exchange-traded)
Treasury and agency debt securities
Insurance/annuity contracts and GICs
Observations
No exemptive relief for privately placed debt, non-traded REITs and alternative investments

14. BICE’s Required Contract
Mandatory Terms for Written Contract
Must state that advisor is fiduciary for ERISA/Code purposes with respect to advice
Impartial Conduct Standard
Advice is in “best interest” of client
Reasonable compensation
No misleading statements
Warranties
Compliance with law
Policies reasonably designed to mitigate conflicts
No incentives to provide improper advice
No Liability Limit for Contract Violations
Arbitration permitted (with class action rights)

15. BICE Disclosures Disclosures in Written Contract
Must identify conflicts
Client’s right to obtain complete fee information
Whether advisor offers proprietary products or receives third party payments
Address of webpage disclosing compensation
Transaction Disclosures
Upfront chart with cost of investing for 1-, 5- and 10-year periods (model chart may be used)
Annual disclosures of investment and fee activity
Webpage disclosure of compensation

16. Observations on BICE Regulatory Jurisdiction
DOL lacks enforcement authority over IRAs
Required contract gives enforcement authority to clients
Violation of Impartial Conduct Standard will breach contract (but not BIC Exemption)
Impact on Brokers and Insurance Agents
Will regulate advisors without plan clients (having only personal IRA clients)
May be difficult for firms to eliminate incentives that encourage improper advice

17. Timeline for Rulemaking
Initial 75-Day Comment Period
Proposal released April 20, 2015
Initial comment period ended July 21st
Public Hearing
August 10th – 13th
Final comment period after transcripts released ended September 2015
Delayed Applicability Date for Final Rule
Final rule effective 60 days after publication
Requirements of final rule generally not applicable until 8 months after publication
Obama Administration’s second terms ends in January 2017

18. Concluding Comments: DOL Proposal
Moving to Universal Fiduciary Standard
DOL is seeking to impose “best interest” fiduciary standard on all types of advisors to plans/IRAs
Proposal leverages off of existing “principles- based” regulatory approach for RIAs
Expected Impact on Advisors
DOL proposal will affect most advisors because of reach to IRA assets
Costly for broker-dealers and insurance agencies
Little or no impact on RIAs, but certain advisors may decide to join or become RIAs

19. Recommendation Next Steps and Following up
Be sure to stay abreast of rulemaking process and consult ERISA counsel as appropriate
Advisors may wish to re-examine their client service models and documentation
Expect plan sponsors to request confirmation of fiduciary status of advisors, and whether DOL proposal will impact services or fees

20. Agenda TOC 1. Fiduciary Proposal 2. Rollovers 3. Tax Reform
4. Regulatory Initiatives

21. Potential Abuses of Cross-Selling
Issues arising from cross-selling
Potential conflicts of interest
Exploiting trust to sell at unfavorable terms
Capturing rollover assets
Advisor develops relationships with plan sponsor and participants
Potential conflict if advisor’s fees on rollover assets are higher than fees on plan assets

22. DOL Guidance Potential for abuse Example DOL policy concern
DOL interpretive guidance for cross-selling of rollover IRA services
Starting point: ERISA prohibition against self- dealing
Advisor cannot provide fiduciary advice increasing its compensation
Example
Advisor’s fiduciary advice steers participants to fund with highest 12b-1 fee
Advice is tainted even if provided in good faith

23. DOL Rollover Opinion Advisory Opinion 2005-23A
Broadly suggests that if an advisor is fiduciary, any rollover advice to participants may trigger PT
DOL does not fully explain reasoning
If Advisor is not fiduciary, rollover advice will not trigger PT

24. Consequences of DOL Rollover Opinion
Advisors appointed as fiduciaries
Fiduciary advisor accepting fiduciary status generally cannot capture rollover assets
Other advisors
If advisor provides “accidental” fiduciary advice, this advisor becomes a fiduciary
Advisors accidentally becoming a fiduciary are subject to restrictions of Rollover Opinion
Proposed definition of fiduciary advice includes rollover recommendations

25. Effect of Fiduciary Proposal on Rollover Opinion
Impact on Advisory Opinion A
If adopted, DOL fiduciary proposal would replace this Advisory Opinion guidance
As proposed, any rollover advice would be fiduciary advice
Non-fiduciary advisors providing rollover advice would automatically become plan/IRA fiduciaries
Relief under Proposed Exemption (BICE)
Advisors would be able to provide rollover advice and earn higher compensation on rollover assets
Proposed exemption entails numerous requirements

26. Protective Measures BICE Relief for IRA Rollovers
Necessary for advisors earning variable commission-based compensation
Also necessary for fee-based advisors if higher compensation is earned after rollover
Written Contract Requirement
Best interest standard
Policy mitigating effects of differential compensation
Disclosures
Upfront disclosure of projected investment costs
Annual disclosure of investment and fee activity
Webpage disclosures on compensation

27. Further Protective Measures
Competitive Pricing Information
Gather pricing data to demonstrate that pricing for similar clients is competitive
Limiting Scope of Advice
Draft plan client’s agreement to reduce parameters of advice
Example: Only actively managed mutual funds will be recommended
Only funds with 12b-1 fees from 25 to 50 bps will be considered

28. FINRA Regulatory Notice 13-45
Rollover recommendations must be suitable
Factors to be considered by advisor
Investment options
Fees and expenses
Services
Withdrawal penalties
Creditor protection
Application of RMD rules
Written Policies
Must mitigate conflicts
Training for reps
Policies will need to be revised to comply with DOL fiduciary proposal and BICE

29. Agenda TOC 1. Fiduciary Proposal 2. Rollovers 3. Tax Reform
4. Regulatory Initiatives

30. Administration Push to Increase Access through IRAs
Administration pushing automatic IRAs:
Mandatory for employers with 10 employees but no retirement plan
3% default contribution rate
Choice of traditional pre-tax IRA or after-tax Roth
Employees allowed to opt out
Multiple alternatives for selecting IRA provider
Government designated default investments

31. myRA Initiative myRA Starter IRAs
Starter program does not require legislative authorization
Contributions to Roth accounts
Permits small investments ($25 / $5)
Low rate of return from Treasury bonds
Maximum $15,000 balance

32. How Retirement Plans Affect the Deficit
Impact of retirement plans on federal deficit
DC / 401(k)
$61 billion (2015)
$414 billion (2015 – 2019) DB
$42 billion (2015)
$235 billion (2015 – 2019)

33. Affect of Limiting Contributions
2015 Plan limitations that can be reduced to limit deficit:
Annual additions from all sources - $53,000
Elective deferrals - $18,000
Plan sponsor deduction - 25% participant compensation
Compensation limit to determine benefits/contributions - $265,000
Limits proposed by Tax Reform Act of 2014
Freezes DC limits until 2024
$63.4 billion revenue gain over 10 years
Additional $144 billion from treating half of 401(k) deferrals as Roth

34. General Limits on Exclusions and Deductions
Obama FY 2016 proposed $3.4 million cap on aggregate lifetime contributions
Cap to vary based on age
Double tax if prohibited amount not withdrawn
Obama proposal limiting tax deductions for plan contributions
11.6% tax on employer & employee plan contributions
For high earners only
Basis adjustment for extra tax

35. USA Retirement Funds Proposal
USA Retirement Funds proposed by Sen. Tom Harkin
Plan features:
Automatic/universal enrollment required by employers with no plan
Regular stream of income starting at retirement age
No lump sum withdrawals
Financed by employee payroll contributions & government credits
Privately managed investment by new entities: USA Retirement Funds
Limited employer involvement; no fiduciary responsibility
Unspecified level of required employer contributions
Employees can raise/lower contributions or opt out

36. State Proposals State-managed plans for private-sector workers
Intended to expand access to retirement saving
States would mange investments
DOL clarifies preemption issue in proposed regulation
California Secure Choice
Mandatory auto-IRA
Pooled investments managed by state and guaranteed returns

37. NCPERS Proposal NCPERS Proposal
Private-sector workers to be covered by plan established by state government
State managed investment and guaranteed returns
Lifetime benefits
Employer and employee contributions
Questions as to sufficiency of funding (backstopped by taxpayers)

38. Summing Up Legislative Proposals
Significant Transformation of Private Retirement System Possible
Tax Reform
Reducing tax incentives will shrink system
Lower contributions at all income levels result if tax exclusions cut back
Obama proposal for general limit on benefit from tax exclusions
Does not focus directly on 401(k) contributions
Provides political cover
Same effect on contributions as direct cutback on excludible amount

39. Summing Up Legislative Proposals (cont’d)
Advocacy for Centralization
Mandated benefits
Guaranteed benefits and/or investment results
Creation of new interest groups
Government influence over investments could drive firms out of retirement industry
State-Sponsored Initiatives
State-level programs may cause breakdown in uniformity of pension laws
Inflection point regarding the types of retirement schemes nation wants

40. Agenda TOC 1. Fiduciary Proposal 2. Rollovers 3. Tax Reform
4. Regulatory Initiatives

41. Goals of Lifetime Income Initiatives
Help retirees take plan distributions without outliving them
Motivate retirees to annuitize accounts
Retirement paycheck for life
Encourage plan sponsors to voluntarily offer annuity options
Permit longevity annuities
Remove regulatory hurdles
Facilitate default annuities
Promote education and disclosures

42. Current Fiduciary Standard for Selecting Annuities
Selection of Annuity Provider and Annuities
Subject to ERISA fiduciary standards
Safe harbor: DC Plan Distribution Annuities
Procedural prudence
Insurer’s ability to pay
Cost
Draw appropriate conclusions
Seek expert advice
2015 guidance
Limits period for monitoring and statute of limitations

43. Promoting Longevity Annuities
New IRS regulation relaxes required minimum distribution rules
RMD rules mandate start at age 70 ½ but longevity annuities provide income stream for later in life
Final Regulation provides:
RMD exception for investment in QLAC
Investment in QLAC capped at $125,000 or 25% of account
QLAC payments to start no later than age 85
Applies to annuity purchases on/after July 2, 2014

44. DOL Proposal for Lifetime Income Disclosures
Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
Lifetime income illustration in participant statements
Must provide estimated income streams based on:
(1) current account, and
(2) projected account at NRA
Safe Harbor for Projected Account
Assume 7% investment return
Assume current contribution level, with 3% increase
Use 3% discount rate to convert to current dollars

45. Simplify proposed changes
In Conclusion:
 Issues driving change
Asset preservation
Mitigating longevity risk
Access to system
Simplify proposed changes
Avoid changes that downsize system
 Address systemic issues with incentives, not mandates

46. Governmental Initiatives
Washington Update:
New DOL and
Governmental Initiatives
Marcia S. Wagner, Esq.
99 Summer Street, 13th Floor
Boston, MA 02110
(617)