On December 11, 2018, CRI hosted an invitation-only event at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island for state executives, legislators, and other key state stakeholders to explore opportunities for multi-state collaborative efforts to expand access to retirement savings programs for private sector workers.
Tuesday, December 11, 2018
7:30 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.
Open Registration, Breakfast, and Networking
8:00 a.m. – 8:15 a.m.
Welcome and Opening Remarks
- Angela Antonelli, Research Professor and Executive Director, Georgetown University Center for Retirement Initiatives
- Joseph Shekarchi, Majority Leader, Rhode Island House of Representatives
- Seth Magaziner, Treasurer, State of Rhode Island
8:15 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
How Has the Retirement Savings Challenge Paved the Path to State Innovation?
As the “grandfathers” of the automatic IRA retirement savings model, David John and Mark Iwry will discuss what’s at stake with a rapidly aging population unprepared financially for retirement and how states have come to assume the leadership role in developing and implementing innovative new policy strategies and solutions.
Moderator: Angela Antonelli, Research Professor and Executive Director, Georgetown University Center for Retirement Initiatives
9:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
What Are the Prospects for Federal Retirement Policy Reforms?
What are the implications of the recent elections on retirement policy at the national and state levels? What can be expected from the Administration, the “lame duck” Congress in the short-term, and the new Congress in 2019 and beyond?
Moderator: Courtney Eccles, Director, Illinois Secure Choice
9:30 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.
BREAK
9:45 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
What Are the Opportunities and Challenges Implementing a State-Facilitated Retirement Savings Program?
Of the 10 states and one city that have enacted new programs, five of them will be open to workers by the end of 2018, while several others are in the planning stages. What factors contributed most to the successful enactment of a state’s program? What are some of the early lessons learned? What are some of the challenges still to be addressed? How will program success be evaluated?
Moderator: Seth Magaziner, Treasurer, State of Rhode Island
11:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
How Important Are Effective Marketing and Outreach Strategies to Small Businesses and Workers?
What importance does investing in and developing an effective marketing and outreach strategy play in a program’s success? Which key stakeholder organizations should be part of any strategy? How should the marketing and outreach initiatives evolve over time?
Moderator: Keith Welks, Deputy Treasurer, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
11:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
LUNCH
12:15 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Multi-State Collaboration Case Study 1: What Are Lessons from College 529 Savings Programs?
Does the history of 529 college savings programs offer some useful lessons and design options for structuring multi-state collaborative arrangements, such as allowing and encouraging participation by out-of-state individuals or by employers that do not already sponsor a plan?
Moderator: Doug Magnolia, Managing Director, BNY Mellon
1:00 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.
Multi-State Collaboration Case Study 2: What Are Lessons from ABLE Savings Programs?
Can the ABLE program’s use of interstate alliances and partnerships be instructive in how to structure multi-state collaborative arrangements for retirement savings programs?
Moderator: Shaun Snyder, Executive Director, National Association of State Treasurers
1:45 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
BREAK
2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
State Working Groups (State officials only)
The objective of the working groups will be to explore interest, opportunities, and challenges associated with establishing multi-state collaborative arrangements for state retirement savings programs for private sector workers.
Session Facilitators:
- Angela Antonelli, Research Professor and Executive Director, Georgetown University Center for Retirement Initiatives
- David C. John, Senior Policy Advisor, AARP Public Policy Institute, and
- Deputy Director, Retirement Security Project, Brookings Institution
- Michael Kreps, Principal, Groom Law Group
- David Morse, Partner, K&L Gates
4:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Reports from Working Groups
4:30 p.m.
Concluding Remarks
