Consumer Agenda for Retirement Security

Initiative # 3: Improve retirement savings plans 

D. Require timely distribution of benefits from 401(k) plans.

Under current law, plans must make distributions from section 401(k) plans within a reasonable length of time after the participant requests distribution.  Some plans, however, take several months before a plan pays the initial benefit distribution.  The Department of Labor can begin a regulatory project to address this issue. 

Learn more about the other initiatives in the Consumer Agenda for Retirement Security.

Initiative 1: Promote a more adequate and secure private retirement income system.
Initiative 2: Empower workers to promote their own retirement security.
Initiative 3: Improve retirement savings plans.
Initiative 4: Improve traditional and hybrid pension plans.
Initiative 5: Make retirement plans fairer for workers and their spouses.

Print the Consumer Agenda for Retirement Security [PDF].