D.C. Pension Geeks

Dec 02 2024 23 ep. 40 mins 9
D.C. Pension Geeks Podcast artwork

Welcome to DC Pension Geeks, a conversation with top retirement-related policymakers and regulators in and around Washington. Hosted by Brian Graff, an attorney, accountant, former Capitol Hill staffer, and now CEO of the American Retirement Association, it’s an inside view of the ups and downs, ins and outs and sometimes surprising turns Washington takes on the road to ensuring a secure retirement for millions of hard-working Americans.

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Preston Rutledge - What the Election Means for Retirement Plan Policy

Dec 02 2024 45 mins  
Oh, what an election it was. It determined not only the presidency but control of both houses of Congress. Now that it’s settled, people rightly wonder what it means for retirement planning and saving policy.“It was kind of a big deal,” American Retirement Association CEO Brian Graff understatedly said. “And given the fact that it’s a big deal. We need a big deal to help

Debra Whitman - How to Make it Easier to ‘Age Well’ in America

Nov 05 2024 34 mins  
How long will we live in retirement? Will we be healthy? How long will we work? Will we have enough money? These are common, and heavy, questions we’d all like answered.Self-described “Pension Geek” Debra Whitman, EVP and Chief Public Policy Officer with the 30 million-member strong AARP, joins ARA CEO Brian Graff for a discussion of her new book, The Second Fifty: Answers to

Michael Kreps - Entire Tax Code ‘Up for Grabs'

Aug 12 2024 39 mins  
The 50th anniversary of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) is rapidly approaching, a law that “affects real people every day,” according to Michael Kreps, a principal with Groom Law and chair of its Retirement Services Group.Kreps, a former Senate HELP Committee retirement policy staffer, joins American Retirement Association (ARA) CEO Brian Graff to discuss re

Preston Rutledge - ERISA’s Massive Impact on the Retirement Plan Space

Jul 22 2024 45 mins  
ERISA turns 50 on Labor Day. It’s older, wiser, and still looks great. What has been its most significant impact on the ability of America’s workers to save?Preston Rutledge joins American Retirement Association CEO Brian Graff for a comprehensive look back and ahead. Rutledge, founder and principal of Rutledge Policy Group, knows the subject well. Prior to founding Rutledge Po

Andrew Biggs - Lies and Statistics—What the 401(k) Data Actually Says

Jul 15 2024 66 mins  
Former high-ranking Social Security Administration official and retirement policy gadfly Andrew Biggs joins American Retirement Association CEO Brian Graff for a frank discussion about the data fueling the 401(k) debate. Biggs, a frequent financial media critic of ‘retirement crisis’ sensationalism, explains the retirement readiness disconnect—and why we get it so wrong.

James Klein - ERISA at 50! Where We Are, Where We’re Going

Jul 08 2024 40 mins  
The bipartisan nature of retirement plan legislation is key to its success. American Benefits Council President Jim Klein, the “OG” of retirement plan policy, joins Brian Graff for an in-depth discussion of retirement saving, healthcare and how ERISA—which turns 50 this year—has impacted both.

Tim Hauser - The Final Fiduciary Rule’s Myths and Controversies

May 13 2024 98 mins  
Department of Labor Chief Operating Officer and senior staff member Tim Hauser joins American Retirement Association CEO Brian Graff for a comprehensive discussion of the myths, controversies and questions surrounding the final fiduciary rule, officially called the Retirement Security Rule.This frank and factual conversation between two fiduciary rule veterans tackles any questions

Aron Szapiro - The Data, Empirical Information Fueling the Final Fiduciary Rule

May 05 2024 46 mins  
Research and consulting giant Morningstar was cited over 40 times in the final fiduciary rule release, officially called the Retirement Security Rule. The reason was largely due to the data and information for which the company is known. Aron Szapiro, Head of Government Affairs with Morningstar, joins American Retirement Association CEO Brian Graff for a wide-ranging discussion abo

Michael Davis - Rebutting Academia’s 401(k) Critics

Mar 15 2024 32 mins  
Defined contribution plans, and 401(k)s specifically, are increasingly under attack, criticized by think tanks and academics for perceived (yet easily refuted) flaws. What—and who—is behind the effort? Are the criticisms resonating and why are they happening now? Does the industry need to do a better job defending itself and are we effectively illustrating the 401(k)’s value

Kathleen Kennedy Townsend - A Lively Defined Contribution Debate

Feb 25 2024 46 mins  
‘Retirement provocateur’ Kathleen Kennedy Townsend played an instrumental role in the debate over retirement issues, resulting in significant policy ideas. A founder of the Georgetown University Center for Retirement Initiatives, the 40-year political veteran and former Maryland Lieutenant Governor joins American Retirement Association CEO Brian Graff for a provocative discussi