HB 2174

Abstract

VirginiaSaves Program; establishment. Directs the governing board of the Virginia College Savings Plan (the Board) to establish an automatic enrollment payroll deduction individual retirement account (IRA) retirement savings program, to be known as the VirginiaSaves Program (the Program). The Board shall administer the Program and develop requirements, procedures, and guidelines for the Program, including default contribution rates, procedures for enrollment and withdrawal, and procedures for noncompliance. Moneys in the Program shall be invested in a manner deemed appropriate by the Board.Participation in the Program is mandatory for eligible employers, defined in the bill as self-employed individuals, sole proprietors, and nongovernmental employers having five or more employees that do not offer a qualified retirement plan to their employees. Each eligible employee, defined generally as an individual employed by an eligible employer, shall be enrolled in the Program unless the employee elects not to participate in the Program.The bill contains provisions limiting the liability of the Board, the Plan, and the Commonwealth or any of its political subdivisions for obligations associated with the Program. The Commonwealth shall have no duty or liability to any party for the payment of any retirement savings benefits accrued by any individual under the Program. Participating employers shall not (i) have any liability for an employee's decision to participate in or opt out of the Plan, (ii) be a fiduciary over the Program, or (iii) have any liability or responsibility related to the operation of the Program. The bill also adds a requirement that at least one member of the Board have expertise in the management and administration of private defined contribution retirement plans.The Program shall be established, and enrollment shall begin, no later than July 1, 2023.

VirginiaSaves Program; establishment. Directs the governing board of the Virginia College Savings Plan (the Board) to establish an automatic enrollment payroll deduction individual retirement account (IRA) retirement savings program, to be known as the VirginiaSaves Program (the Program). The Board shall administer the Program and develop requirements, procedures, and guidelines for the Program, including default contribution rates, procedures for enrollment and withdrawal, and procedures for noncompliance. Moneys in the Program shall be invested in a manner deemed appropriate by the Board. Participation in the Program is mandatory for eligible employers, defined in the bill as self-employed individuals, sole proprietors, and nongovernmental employers having five or more employees that do not offer a qualified retirement plan to their employees. Each eligible employee, defined generally as an individual employed by an eligible employer, shall be enrolled in the Program unless the employee elects not to participate in the Program. The bill contains provisions limiting the liability of the Board, the Plan, and the Commonwealth or any of its political subdivisions for obligations associated with the Program. The Commonwealth shall have no duty or liability to any party for the payment of any retirement savings benefits accrued by any individual under the Program. Participating employers shall not (i) have any liability for an employee's decision to participate in or opt out of the Plan, (ii) be a fiduciary over the Program, or (iii) have any liability or responsibility related to the operation of the Program. The Program shall be established, and enrollment shall begin, no later than July 1, 2023.