Defined Benefits

After a federal judge ruled that American Airlines violated its ERISA duties by focusing on ESG factors in choosing investments, a coalition of Democratic city and state officials sent letters to the SEC and DOL, urging them to protect ESG investing.

Seven GOP-led states had filed suit against former President Joe Biden's SAVE student loan relief plan, arguing that debt cancellation should be addressed through legislation, and the judge agreed, saying “ that a taxpayer-funded bailout is blatant executive overreach."

A third of Americans don’t believe retiring in their current location makes financial sense, which is why Nationwide Financial Research’s new data can help advisors offer specific financial guidance to those in the Northeast, Midwest, West and the South.

While the actual 2026 Social Security cost-of-living increase for retired workers won’t be announced until October, the Senior Citizens League is predicting a 2.3% increase for 2026 – a modest decrease from the 2.5% raise in 2025.

The Labor Department has filed a motion to pause two federal court cases challenging the Retirement Security Rule, which was finalized last April and had been set to go into effect last September, but has been beset by lawsuits.

In addition, 90% of all nonprofit employees are eligible to participate in plans, a survey high, and likely expanded due to another SECURE 2.0 provision allowing long-term, part-time employees to participate, according to a PSCA survey.