Arkansas House Bill HB1335

Arkansas 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/30/25
• Refer: 1/30/25
• Failed: 5/5/25

Caption

To Establish The Every Arkansan Retirement Plan Opportunity Act.

Impact

If enacted, HB1335 would expand access to retirement savings options for many Arkansans who currently lack sufficient savings for retirement. This could significantly impact state laws regarding retirement plans and workers' rights, providing a framework that encourages savings among a broader segment of the workforce. The establishment of a state-sponsored plan could also spur additional legislative measures aimed at enhancing financial literacy and retirement planning resources for residents, further securing the long-term financial health of the state's populace.

Summary

House Bill 1335, known as the Every Arkansan Retirement Plan Opportunity Act, aims to establish a state-sponsored retirement savings program for employees in Arkansas. The initiative seeks to address the growing concern about retirement security among the working population, particularly those in lower-income brackets who may not have access to employer-sponsored retirement plans. The bill proposes an automatic enrollment system where eligible workers would be enrolled in the retirement plan unless they opt out, thereby encouraging saving for retirement without requiring proactive enrollment steps from employees.

Contention

There are notable points of contention surrounding HB1335. While proponents argue that the bill will greatly enhance retirement security for Arkansas residents, some critics express concerns regarding the financial implications for the state and potential burdens on employers. Opponents worry that automatic enrollment might lead to complacency among workers, who may not realize the importance of actively managing their retirement savings. Additionally, questions have arisen regarding the sustainability of the state-sponsored plan and how it might interact with existing private retirement savings options.