Protecting Prudent Investment of Retirement Savings Act
This bill modifies the requirements for fiduciaries of employer-sponsored retirement plans.
First, the bill generally requires a plan fiduciary to make investment decisions based solely on pecuniary factors (i.e., factors that a fiduciary prudently determines are expected to have a material effect on the risk or return of an investment based on appropriate investment horizons consistent with the plan's policies and objectives).
The bill allows nonpecuniary factors to be considered in certain situations, such as when selecting investment options for certain participant-directed retirement plans or if the fiduciary is unable to distinguish between investment alternatives on the basis of pecuniary factors alone.
The bill also prohibits a plan fiduciary from discriminating when selecting, monitoring, and retaining any fiduciary, counsel, employee, or service provider of the plan.
The bill requires a plan fiduciary to act solely and prudently in accordance with the interests of the plan's participants and beneficiaries when exercising a shareholder right (e.g., voting of proxies). However, the fiduciary duty to manage shareholder rights does not require the voting of every proxy or the exercise of every shareholder right.
Finally, the bill requires a plan fiduciary to provide specified notices with respect to a pension plan that provides a participant or beneficiary the opportunity to select from designated investment alternatives.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2988 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2988
To amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to specify
requirements concerning the consideration of pecuniary and non-
pecuniary factors, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
April 24, 2025
Mr. Allen introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Education and Workforce
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to specify
requirements concerning the consideration of pecuniary and non-
pecuniary factors, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Protecting Prudent
Investment of Retirement Savings Act''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
DIVISION A--INCREASE RETIREMENT EARNINGS
Sec. 1001. Short title.
Sec. 1002. Limitation on consideration of non-pecuniary factors by
fiduciaries.
DIVISION B--NO DISCRIMINATION IN MY BENEFITS
Sec. 2001. Short title.
Sec. 2002. Service provider selection.
DIVISION C--RETIREMENT PROXY PROTECTION
Sec. 3001. Short title.
Sec. 3002. Exercise of shareholder rights.
DIVISION D--PROVIDING COMPLETE INFORMATION TO RETIREMENT INVESTORS
Sec. 4001. Short title.
Sec. 4002. Brokerage window disclosures.
DIVISION A--INCREASE RETIREMENT EARNINGS
SEC. 1001. SHORT TITLE.
This division may be cited as the ``Increase Retirement Earnings
Act''.
SEC. 1002. LIMITATION ON CONSIDERATION OF NON-PECUNIARY FACTORS BY
FIDUCIARIES.
(a) In General.--Section 404(a) of the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974 (29 U.S.C. 1104(a)) is amended by adding at the
end the following:
``(3) Interest Based on Pecuniary Factors.--
``(A) In general.--For purposes of paragraph (1), a
fiduciary shall be considered to act solely in the interest of
the participants and beneficiaries of the plan with respect to
an investment or investment course of action only if the
fiduciary's action with respect to such investment or
investment course of action is based solely on pecuniary
factors (except as provided in subparagraph (B)). The fiduciary
may not subordinate the interests of the participants and
beneficiaries in their retirement income or financial benefits
under the plan to other objectives and may not sacrifice
investment return or take on additional investment risk to
promote non-pecuniary benefits or goals. The weight given to
any pecuniary factor by a fiduciary shall reflect a prudent
assessment of the impact of such factor on risk and return.
``(B) Use of non-pecuniary factors for investment
alternatives.--Notwithstanding paragraph (A), if a fiduciary is
unable to distinguish between or among investment alternatives
or investment courses of action on the basis of pecuniary
factors alone, the fiduciary may use non-pecuniary factors as
the deciding factor if the fiduciary documents--
``(i) why pecuniary factors were not sufficient to
select a plan investment or investment course of
action;
``(ii) how the selected investment compares to the
alternative investments with regard to the composition
of the portfolio with regard to diversification, the
liquidity and current return of the portfolio relative
to the anticipated cash flow requirements of the plan,
and the projected return of the portfolio relative to
the funding objectives of the plan; and
``(iii) how the selected non-pecuniary factor or
factors are consistent with the interests of the
participants and beneficiaries in their retirement
income or financial benefits under the plan.
``(C) Investment alternatives for participant-directed
individual account plans.--In selecting or retaining investment
options for a pension plan described in subsection (c)(1)(A), a
fiduciary is not prohibited from considering, selecting, or
retaining an investment option on the basis that such
investment option promotes, seeks, or supports one or more non-
pecuniary benefits or goals, if--
``(i) the fiduciary satisfies the requirements of
paragraph (1) and subparagraphs (A) and (B) of this
paragraph in selecting or retaining any such investment
option; and
``(ii) such investment option is not added or
retained as, or included as a component of, a default
investment under subsection (c)(5) (or any other
default investment alternative) if its investment
objectives or goals or its principal investment
strategies include, consider, or indicate the use of
one or more non-pecuniary factors.
``(D) Definitions.--For the purposes of this paragraph:
``(i) The term `pecuniary factor' means a factor
that a fiduciary prudently determines is expected to
have a material effect on the risk or return of an
investment based on appropriate investment horizons
consistent with the plan's investment objectives and
the funding policy established pursuant to section
402(b)(1).
``(ii) The term `investment course of action' means
any series or program of investments or actions related
to a fiduciary's performance of the fiduciary's
investment duties, and includes the selection of an
investment fund as a plan investment, or in the case of
an individual account plan, a designated investment
alternative under the plan.''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to actions taken by a fiduciary on or after the date that is 12
months after the date of enactment of this Act.
DIVISION B--NO DISCRIMINATION IN MY BENEFITS
SEC. 2001. SHORT TITLE.
This division may be cited as the ``No Discrimination in My
Benefits Act''.
SEC. 2002. SERVICE PROVIDER SELECTION.
Section 404(a)(1) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
1974 (29 U.S.C. 1104(a)(1)) is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``and'';
(2) in subparagraph (D), by striking the period at the end
and inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
``(E) by selecting, monitoring, and retaining any
fiduciary, counsel, employee, or service provider of the plan--
``(i) in accordance with subparagraphs (A) and (B);
and
``(ii) without regard to race, color, religion,
sex, or national origin.''.
DIVISION C--RETIREMENT PROXY PROTECTION
SEC. 3001. SHORT TITLE.
This division may be cited as the ``Retirement Proxy Protection
Act''.
SEC. 3002. EXERCISE OF SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS.
(a) In General.--Section 404 of the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974 (29 U.S.C. 1104) is amended by adding at the end
the following new subsection:
``(f) Exercise of Shareholder Rights.--
``(1) Authority to exercise shareholder rights.--
``(A) In general.--The fiduciary duty to manage
plan assets that are shares of stock includes the
management of shareholder rights appurtenant to those
shares, including the right to vote proxies. When
deciding whether to exercise a shareholder right and in
exercising such right, including the voting of proxies,
a fiduciary must act prudently and solely in the
interests of participants and beneficiaries and for the
exclusive purpose of providing benefits to participants
and beneficiaries and defraying the reasonable expenses
of administering the plan. The fiduciary duty to manage
shareholder rights appurtenant to shares of stock does
not require the voting of every proxy or the exercise
of every shareholder right.
``(B) Exception.--This subsection shall not apply
to voting, tender, and similar rights with respect to
qualifying employer securities or securities held in an
investment arrangement that is not a designated
investment alternative in the event such rights are
passed through pursuant to the terms of an individual
account plan to participants and beneficiaries with
accounts holding such securities.
``(2) Requirements for exercise of shareholder rights.--A
fiduciary, when deciding whether to exercise a shareholder
right and when exercising a shareholder right--
``(A) shall--
``(i) act solely in accordance with the
economic interest of the plan and its
participants and beneficiaries;
``(ii) consider any costs involved;
``(iii) evaluate material facts that form
the basis for any particular proxy vote or
exercise of shareholder rights; and
``(iv) maintain a record of any proxy vote,
proxy voting activity, or other exercise of a
shareholder right, including any attempt to
influence management; and
``(B) shall not subordinate the interests of
participants and beneficiaries in their retirement
income or financial benefits under the plan to any non-
pecuniary objective, or promote non-pecuniary benefits
or goals unrelated to those financial interests of the
plan's participants and beneficiaries.
``(3) Monitoring.--A fiduciary shall exercise prudence and
diligence in the selection and monitoring of a person, if any,
selected to advise or otherwise assist with the exercise of
shareholder rights, including by providing research and
analysis, recommendations on exercise of proxy voting or other
shareholder rights, administrative services with respect to
voting proxies, and recordkeeping and reporting services.
``(4) Investment managers and proxy advisory firms.--Where
the authority to vote proxies or exercise other shareholder
rights has been delegated to an investment manager pursuant to
section 403(a), or a proxy voting advisory firm or other person
who performs advisory services as to the voting of proxies or
the exercise of other shareholder rights, a responsible plan
fiduciary shall prudently monitor the proxy voting activities
of such investment manager or advisory firm and determine
whether such activities are in compliance with paragraphs (1)
and (2).
``(5) Voting policies.--
``(A) In general.--In deciding whether to vote a
proxy pursuant to this subsection, the plan fiduciary
may adopt a proxy voting policy, including a safe
harbor proxy voting policy described in subparagraph
(B), providing that the authority to vote a proxy shall
be exercised pursuant to specific parameters designed
to serve the economic interest of the plan.
``(B) Safe harbor voting policy.--With respect to a
decision not to vote a proxy, a fiduciary shall satisfy
the fiduciary responsibilities under this subsection if
such fiduciary adopts and is following a safe harbor
proxy voting policy that--
``(i) limits voting resources to particular
types of proposals that the fiduciary has
prudently determined are substantially related
to the business activities of the issuer or are
expected to have a material effect on the value
of the plan investment; or
``(ii) establishes that the fiduciary will
refrain from voting on proposals or particular
types of proposals when the assets of a plan
invested in the issuer relative to the total
assets of such plan are below 5 percent (or, in
the event such assets are under management,
when the assets under management invested in
the issuer are below 5 percent of the total
assets under management).
``(C) Exception.--No proxy voting policy adopted
pursuant to this paragraph shall preclude a fiduciary
from submitting a proxy vote when the fiduciary
determines that the matter being voted on is expected
to have a material economic effect on the investment
performance of a plan's portfolio (or the investment
performance of assets under management in the case of
an investment manager); provided, however, that in all
cases compliance with a safe harbor voting policy shall
be presumed to satisfy fiduciary responsibilities with
respect to decisions not to vote.
``(6) Review.--A fiduciary shall periodically review any
policy adopted under this subsection.''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a) shall
apply to an exercise of shareholder rights occurring on or after
January 1, 2026.
DIVISION D--PROVIDING COMPLETE INFORMATION TO RETIREMENT INVESTORS
SEC. 4001. SHORT TITLE.
This division may be cited as the ``Providing Complete Information
to Retirement Investors Act''.
SEC. 4002. BROKERAGE WINDOW DISCLOSURES.
(a) In General.--Section 404(c) of the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974 (29 U.S.C. 1104(c)) is amended by adding at the
end the following new paragraph:
``(7) Notice requirements for brokerage windows.--
``(A) In general.--In the case of a pension plan
which provides for individual accounts and which
provides a participant or beneficiary the opportunity
to choose from designated investment alternatives, a
participant or beneficiary shall not be treated as
exercising control over assets in the account of the
participant or beneficiary unless, with respect to any
investment arrangement that is not a designated
investment alternative, each time before such a
participant or beneficiary directs an investment into,
out of, or within such investment arrangement, such
participant is notified of, and acknowledges, each
element of the notice described under paragraph (B).
``(B) Notice.--The notice described under this
paragraph is a four part information that is
substantially similar to the following information:
``1. Your retirement plan offers designated investment alternatives prudently selected and monitored by
fiduciaries for the purpose of enabling you to construct an appropriate retirement savings portfolio. In
selecting and monitoring designated investment alternatives, your plan's fiduciary considers the risk of loss
and the opportunity for gain (or other return) compared with reasonably available investment alternatives.
2. The investments available through this investment arrangement are not designated investment alternatives, and
have not been prudently selected and are not monitored by a plan fiduciary.
3. Depending on the investments you select through this investment arrangement, you may experience diminished
returns, higher fees, and higher risk than if you select from the plan's designated investment alternatives.
4. The following is a hypothetical illustration of the impact of return at 4 percent, 6 percent, and 8 percent
on your account balance projected to age 67.
``(C) Illustration.--The notice described under
paragraph (B) shall also include a graph displaying the
projected retirement balances of such participant or
beneficiary at age 67 if the account of such individual
were to achieve an annual return equal to each of the
following:
``(i) 4 percent.
``(ii) 6 percent.
``(iii) 8 percent.''.
(b) Designated Investment Alternative Defined.--Section 3 of such
Act (29 U.S.C. 1002) is amended by adding at the end the following new
paragraph:
``(46) Designated investment alternative.--
``(A) In general.--The term `designated investment
alternative' means any investment alternative
designated by a responsible fiduciary of an individual
account plan described in subsection 404(c) into which
participants and beneficiaries may direct the
investment of assets held in, or contributed to, their
individual accounts.
``(B) Exception.--The term `designated investment
alternative' does not include brokerage windows, self-
directed brokerage accounts, or similar plan
arrangements that enable participants and beneficiaries
to select investments beyond those designated by a
responsible plan fiduciary.''.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall
take effect on January 1, 2027.
<all>
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 21 - 15.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Workforce. H. Rept. 119-421.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Workforce. H. Rept. 119-421.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 367.
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 988 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2988, H.R. 2262, H.R. 2270, H.R. 2312 and H.R. 4366. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 2988 under a structured rule, and H.R. 2262, H.R. 2270, H.R. 2312, and H.R. 4366 under a closed rule. The rule provides for one hour of general debate and one motion to recommit on each bill.
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 988. (consideration: CR H897-907; text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H897-899)
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2988, H.R. 2262, H.R. 2270, H.R. 2312 and H.R. 4366. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 2988 under a structured rule, and H.R. 2262, H.R. 2270, H.R. 2312, and H.R. 4366 under a closed rule. The rule provides for one hour of general debate and one motion to recommit on each bill.
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DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 2988.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 988, the House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Huizenga amendment No. 1.
The previous question was ordered on the amendment and the bill pursuant to the rule.
Ms. Kaptur moved to recommit to the Committee on Education and Workforce. (text: CR H905)
The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.
On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 206 - 210 (Roll no. 30).
Roll Call #30 (House)Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 213 - 205 (Roll no. 31).
Roll Call #31 (House)On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 213 - 205 (Roll no. 31).
Roll Call #31 (House)Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.