The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has proposed a nationwide 401k dashboard that would allow workers a centralized location to track their retirement savings accounts across different employers and plans.
According to a report released by GAO on Feb. 20, millions of workers leave behind or lose track of their 401(k) accounts when they switch employers, resulting in lower retirement income and higher fees. The report also found that participants face complex and confusing information, paperwork, and processes when they try to roll over their accounts to a new plan or an individual retirement account (IRA).
To address these issues, the GAO recommends that Congress consider granting authority to a federal agency to establish and oversee a pension dashboard.
In addition, the GAO makes four recommendations to federal agencies, including the Department of Labor and the Treasury, to improve the information and guidance that participants receive about their distribution options and the tax consequences of their choices.
The proposal comes at a time when Americans are increasingly concerned about their retirement security, as many face the risk of outliving their savings or falling short of their income needs.
A 401k dashboard could potentially benefit millions of workers who want to keep track of their retirement savings and make informed decisions about their future. However, such a system would require careful design, implementation, and oversight to ensure its accuracy, security, and usability. As the GAO report suggests, further actions are needed from both Congress and federal agencies to make this idea a reality.