In this article from 401Kafe.com, it appears that prospects are dimming for 401K/IRA reform this year. This would be a good time to contact your senators and congressperson to let them know how important this legislation is.

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In Brief: GOP Won't Push 2001 IRA, 401(k) Changes

Feb. 16, 2001
Source: American Banker
By: Michele Heller

Senate Banking Committee Chairman Phil Gramm last week dampened the financial services industry's hopes for new retirement savings incentives, saying the legislation would probably have to wait until next year.

Industry lobbyists were disappointed that President Bush's $1.6 trillion tax-cut proposal does not call for increasing the ceilings on tax-deferred contributions to Individual Retirement Accounts and 401(k) accounts. They had otherwise loudly applauded the plan for its potential to spur long-term economic growth and held out hope that lawmakers would add the savings provisions before passing it.

However, key Senate Republicans on Thursday reiterated their intention to keep retirement savings incentives and other corporate tax issues out of the Bush tax-cut package.

"You can go through a whole list like" increasing tax-free contributions to "IRAs, 401(k)s, but I think that we should focus on getting this job done first," Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott told reporters.
Sen. Gramm said he agreed, and his additional comments suggested that prospects for stand-alone legislation this year are poor, too.

"There is a distinct possibility that, if we do our job this year and stay with the $1.6 trillion" individual income tax cut "and hold spending within the limits, we could have a chance next year to do another tax cut," the Texas Republican said.

Copyright 2001 Thomson Financial. All Rights Reserved.