Outlook Improves for Multiemployer Reform in 2021, 2022

Link: https://www.ai-cio.com/news/outlook-improves-multiemployer-reform-2021-2022/

Excerpt:

There’s an improved chance Congress will pass legislation over the next year or two to prevent multiemployer pension plans and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC)’s multiemployer insurance program from becoming insolvent, according to law firm Morgan Lewis.

In a blog post on the firm’s website, Morgan Lewis Senior Director Timothy Lynch and Partner Daniel Salemi wrote that the biggest factor that could lead to a legislative solution is the fact that the Democratic Party controls the White House and both houses of Congress. They also say the Biden administration may see greater urgency in moving for a solution due to the major economic fallout that would occur if PBGC’s multiemployer program were to become insolvent in 2026, as is currently projected.

Author(s): Michael Katz

Publication Date: 20 January 2021

Publication Site: ai-CIO

House panel to weigh multiemployer pension reform bill

Link: https://www.pionline.com/legislation/house-panel-weigh-multiemployer-pension-reform-bill

Excerpt:

Legislation to help struggling multiemployer pension funds is to be considered this week by a key House panel as part of a COVID-19 relief measure.

The House Ways and Means Committee is expected to start marking up a package of pandemic relief measures Wednesday, including one aimed at stabilizing pensions for more than 1 million participants in multiemployer plans approaching insolvency.

The pension section of the proposed Emergency Pension Plan Relief Act of 2021 is cited as the “Butch Lewis 4 Emergency Pension Plan Relief Act of 2021.”

It is based on a previously proposed multiemployer pension relief bill named for retiree Butch Lewis that called for a federal loan program for struggling plans and more resources for the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp. to help troubled plans through partitions.

Author(s): Hazel Bradford

Publication Date: 9 February 2021

Publication Site: Pensions & Investments

Democrats Introduce Bill to Protect Pensions, Expand PGBC’s Power

Link: https://www.ai-cio.com/news/democrats-introduce-bill-protect-pensions-expand-pgbcs-power/

Description: Bill introduced in House of Representatives – EPPRA (Emergency Pension Plan Relief Act of 2021) intended for multiemployer pension protection. Boosts PBGC MEP guarantee, stops benefit reductions, allows for partition of failing MEPs. Similar provisions had been in HEROES bill in 2020 (not passed).

Author: Michael Katz

Publication Date: 22 January 2021

Publication Site: ai-CIO