Experts Available for Comment on Bushs New Pension Proposals

The President's budget includes several new expanded savings proposals including the replacement of 401k accounts with Employer Retirement Savings Accounts (ERSA).

The Treasury Department announced on January 31, 2003 that the President's budget would include several new expanded savings proposals including the replacement of 401k accounts with Employer Retirement Savings Accounts (ERSAs). ERSAs are intended to promote and vastly simplify employer sponsored retirement plans by consolidating 401k, SIMPLE 401k, 403(b), and 457 employer-based defined contribution accounts into a single type of plan that can be more easily established by any employer. An overview of the proposals can be found at this link: http://www.401khelpcenter.com/press/pr_treasury_013103.html .

The proposals have certainly sparked a lively debate this week, but most comment has come from business groups who have a vested interest in the outcome -- either for or against. It has been hard to get any realistic perspective. Therefore, we have put together the following group of highly respected retirement experts that are available to members of the media for analysis, insight, background and comment.

Individual contact information is listed for each person.

Matt Gnabasik -- Mr. Gnabasik is one of the nations most respected retirement plan consultants, having worked with hundreds of corporate, not-for-profit and government clients throughout the country. He has sold institutional retirement plans for a large 401(k) provider and has headed up three retirement practices in Florida and the mid-west. Contact Mr. Gnabasik at 312.645.1120 or email matt@blueprairiegroup.com.

Matt Hutcheson - Mr. Hutcheson is a highly sought after independent fiduciary and a nationally recognized authority on qualified plans and fiduciary responsibility. He is a Certified Pension Consultant and an Accredited Investment Fiduciary Auditor. He is a published author and an accomplished speaker. Contact Mr. Hutcheson at 800.395.9986 or email matt@erisa-fiduciary.com.

James Joyner -- Mr. Joyner is a partner in the Spartanburg office of regional accounting and consulting firm Crisp Hughes Evans LLP. He oversees the pension arm of the firm which serves numerous clients in the North and South Carolina. Joyner has been awarded the Qualified Pension Administrator (QPA) designation and holds designations as a Certified Public Accountant and Certified Valuation Analyst. Contact Mr. Joyner at 864.583.5800 or email jjoyner@che-llp.com.

Rick Meigs - 401khelpcenter.com is a leading provider of information, opinion, analysis, trends, news, regulatory changes, and other resources on 401k plans. It is our job to stays on top of current issues in the 401(k) market and Rick Meigs, President of the 401khelpcenter.com, is always available for insight, background and comment. Contact Mr. Meigs at 503.705.9548 or email rick@401khelpcenter.com.

Jeff Robertson - Mr. Robertson is an attorney with the law firm of Bullivant Houser Bailey. He serves as counsel to companies on all aspects of their employee benefits programs and regularly represents clients of all sizes on employee benefits and executive compensation matters, including hospitals and governmental plans. Jeff has extensive experience in designing and implementing employee benefit plans and executive compensation programs and representing his clients before the Internal Revenue Service and the Department of Labor. Contact Mr. Mr. Robertson at 503.499.4686 or email jeffrey.robertson@bullivant.com.

Jane White -- Ms. White is the President of The Retirement Solutions Foundation, a non-profit foundation dedicated to educating the public about saving for retirement. She is a former financial journalist and has a unique prospective on retirement plan issues, particularly that of the plan participant. Ms. White can be reached at 973.236.1583 or email ret_solve@msn.com.