The U.S. Authorities Accountability Workplace known as out the Division of Labor Monday for an absence of 403(b) steerage.
403(b) plans — that are particular person account-based plans — permit for contributors to make funding choices, GAO mentioned. As a result of DOL oversees such plans, that are widespread amongst lecturers and non-profit employees, the GAO inspired the Labor Division to enhance its academic choices.
“We discovered that DOL’s web site accommodates little academic materials particular to 403(b) plans — equivalent to info to assist contributors perceive the charges related to these plans,” GAO mentioned in a July 24 assertion. “We beneficial that DOL replace info on these plans to assist contributors.”
The Securities and Change Fee and the Inside Income Service additionally take care of 403(b) plans, the GAO continued. However DOL oversees plans topic to the Worker Retirement Revenue Safety Act of 1974, and investigates alleged violations of the legislation. “For instance, DOL has investigated cases of self-dealing — when a plan fiduciary makes use of plan property for the fiduciary’s personal curiosity or personal account,” GAO continued, emphasizing the significance of training for enrollees.
DOL “neither agreed nor disagreed with [this] suggestion,” the watchdog mentioned, including that the company pointed to its webpages on 403(b) plan points; DOL mentioned “the knowledge in its 401(okay) publications might be useful to ERISA-covered 403(b) plan sponsors,” and that training on charges are current in its materials.
For the GAO audit, researchers additionally seemed into states recognized as taking steps to enhance 403(b) plan outcomes.