The U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration is proposing a rule designed to help America's workers better comprehend target date retirement funds and similar investments, which are available in 401(k)-type plans.

Based on the proposed rule, the "qualified default investment alternative regulation" and the "participant-level disclosure regulation" would be affected to enhance and provide more specificity regarding disclose information to participants and beneficiaries relating to investments in target date funds.

"Based on our collaborative examination of this issue with the Securities and Exchange Commission, it is clear that all participants in participant-directed individual account plans can benefit from better information about how target date investments are designed to meet their retirement savings needs," says Phyllis C. Borzi, assistant secretary of labor for EBSA.

New disclosures regarding the design and operation of target date or similar investments are required in the proposed rule, including an explanation of the investment's asset allocation, a graphic showing how that allocation will change over time and the significance of the investment's "target" date. Additionally, even when close to retirement, the proposed amendments call for a statement of the money-loss risk for a participant investing in a target date fund.

Instant Insights /

U.S. Labor Department proposes rule for target date retirement fund disclosures

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