IRI ANNOUNCES ITS 2026 RETIREMENT SECURITY BLUEPRINT

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Insured Retirement Institute (IRI) released its 2026 Retirement Security Blueprint, which includes 33 proposals to enhance and strengthen retirement security for more of America's workers and retirees.

"We view the Blueprint as a guide for a dialogue with federal policymakers about pragmatic, bipartisan proposals designed to build upon the progress Congress has already made to strengthen retirement security for America's workers and retirees," said Wayne Chopus, President & CEO, IRI. "IRI is widely recognized as a credible and trusted voice on retirement policy, and through our Blueprint, we continue to help shape and advance the national conversation on retirement security."

Last November, IRI announced an action plan to encourage Congress to enhance the retirement security of America's workers and retirees. Since then, momentum has been building. The House passed the INVEST Act, which included 403(b) plan parity legislation; the Senate HELP Committee held a hearing on retirement issues; the House held a hearing on lifetime income; and the President unveiled a retirement proposal in his State of the Union address.

At that January House hearing before the Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions, Chopus testified for IRI-the only trade association invited-and outlined several policy recommendations that are included in IRI's Retirement Security Blueprint.

"These are practical, common-sense steps that build on what Congress has already accomplished," Chopus told the subcommittee.

Among IRI's Blueprint policy recommendations to Congress are:

• Auto Re-Enroll Act of 2025: Prompts workers who have opted out of their retirement plan's auto-enrollment feature to periodically reevaluate their decision, encouraging participation as their careers and financial situations evolve.

• Helping Young Americans Save for Retirement Act: Aims to remove the age barrier that currently prohibits younger Americans from participating in workplace retirement plans, enabling them to begin saving earlier in their careers.
• Lifetime Income for Employees Act: Directs the Department of Labor to lift regulatory barriers that currently hinder the offering of protected, guaranteed lifetime income products within defined contribution plans. This would provide workers with more opportunities for sustainable retirement income.
• Retirement Fairness for Charities and Educational Institutions Act of 2025: Seeks to provide parity for 403(b) retirement plan participants by allowing their investment menus to include lower-cost options like collective investment trusts and unregistered insurance company separate accounts, which are currently restricted by federal securities law.
• Improving Disclosure for Investors Act: Directs the SEC to issue a rule permitting the electronic delivery and access to documents required of registered investment companies. It preserves each investor's right to receive paper information if preferred.
• SECURE 2.0 Act Amendment: Proposes an amendment to Section 202 of the SECURE 2.0 Act to better meet the diverse needs of retirement savers. It would make indexed and variable annuity contracts with guaranteed lifetime income benefits eligible for treatment as Qualified Longevity Annuity Contracts (QLACs).
• Annual Defined Contribution Plan Notice Amendment: Calls for an amendment to Section 105 of ERISA. It would enhance the required annual plan notices to include a warning about the risks of outliving retirement savings.
• Clarifying Existing Annuity Safe Harbor: Clarify that the annuity selection safe harbor in the SECURE Act covers employer selection of an annuity contract. This clarification means it is not limited only to the selection of an insurance provider for the annuity contract.
• Require Lifetime Income Options in Defined Contribution Plans: Congress should enact legislation to require defined contribution plans to offer participants the option to invest in protected, guaranteed lifetime income solutions.

"The anxiety Americans feel about outliving their savings is real, and Congress has an opportunity this year to provide meaningful, lasting bipartisan solutions," Chopus said. "To address these concerns, we have had productive discussions with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle about future legislative efforts to further advance lifetime income solutions in defined contribution plans. IRI will continue to advocate for the Blueprint's proposals, work toward achieving bipartisan consensus, and ensure that retirement security remains a priority for Congress this year."

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The Insured Retirement Institute (IRI) is the leading association for the entire supply chain of insured retirement strategies, including life insurers, asset managers, and distributors such as broker-dealers, banks, and marketing organizations. IRI members account for 90 percent of annuity assets in the U.S., include the top ten distributors of annuities ranked by assets under management, and are represented by financial professionals serving millions of Americans. IRI champions retirement security for all through leadership in advocacy, awareness, research, and the advancement of digital solutions within a collaborative industry community. Learn more at www.irionline.org. Email [email protected] to opt out of future news releases.