Rep. Claudia Tenney Advocates for SMART Savings Act to Reduce DOL Oversight on IRAs
Representative Claudia Tenney, R-N.Y., has introduced companion legislation in the House to the Simplifying Modern Access to Retirement Tools for Savings Act (SMART Savings Act). This bill, initially introduced by Senators John Barrasso, R-WY, and Marsha Blackburn, R-TN, aims to alleviate Department of Labor (DOL) oversight of Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs). The proposed legislation seeks to remove IRAs from prohibited transaction rules, thereby eliminating duplicative DOL authority over IRAs. It also aims to prevent future regulations that could restrict savers' access to financial advice. The bill preserves a ban on self-dealing, ensuring that IRA owners who misuse account assets for personal benefit lose tax advantages. Additionally, it clarifies that IRA savers can access reduced-cost or enhanced products and services without needing individual DOL exemptions.