The Best of 2024: Most-Viewed Content
As the year comes to a close, here are the topics and coverage that caught readers’ eyes over the past 12 months
Continuing coverage of 401(k) contribution limit forecasts, Social Security issues (and COLA forecasts in particular), and even Health Savings Account limits were among the topics that resonated with 401(k) Specialist readers in 2024.
Other popular topics included lists of best and worst places to retire—be it by state, retirement communities, best places in the world to retire, or most affordable places to retire.
Coverage of 401(k) issues such as retirement income, participation rates, the DOL’s fiduciary rule, 401(k) loans, RMD changes, the Automatic IRA Act of 2024, and even rankings of the best ERISA law firms were popular reads.
When it comes to the 401(k) Specialist Pod(k)ast, an episode featuring Fred Reish unpacking the DOL’s controversial and ill-fated fiduciary rule attracted the most listeners.
Here are some highlights and links related to some of the most popular articles posted this year on 401(k) Specialist.
401(k) contribution limits
There was plenty of interest around what the 2025 401(k) contribution limit would be, even before it was officially announced by the IRS on Nov. 1 that workplace retirement savers will be able contribute an extra $500 to their 401(k), bringing the limit from $23,000 in 2024 to $23,500 in 2025.
Reports on forecasts of the 2025 limits from Milliman and Mercer proved very popular as advisors looked for early insight into what the changes might be—and the predictions were fairly spot-on.
Readers were also interested in the new 2025 contribution limits for Health Savings Accounts, which were announced back in May by the IRS. The IRS raised limits by $150 for individuals and by $250 for individuals with family coverage for 2025 compared to 2024 limits.
Here are some of the most-read articles on these topics:
• IRS Gives 2025 401(k) Contribution Limit a $500 Boost
• Official 2025 401(k) Contribution Limit Announcement Due Soon: $500 Bump Expected
• 2025 401(k) Contribution Limits: Milliman Halves its Increase Prediction
• HSA Contribution Limits Increased Slightly for 2025
While coverage of monthly forecasts of the next year’s Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) provided by both The Senior Citizens League and retired Social Security policy analyst Mary Johnson remained popular, coverage of other issues related to Social Security were also among the most-read content on 401(k) Specialist in 2024.
On October 10, the Social Security Administration made it official that nearly 68 million Social Security beneficiaries will see a 2.5% COLA beginning in January 2025, raising the average beneficiary check by about $50 per month. That’s smaller than 2024’s 3.2% raise and much smaller than 2022’s inflation-fueled raise of 8.7%. Over the last decade, the Social Security COLA has averaged at about 2.6%.
But with TSCL and Johnson tracking monthly Consumer Price Index inflation data to provide predictions (and updates to those predictions), coverage of Social Security COLA has become nearly a year-round endeavor.
Beyond the COLA forecasts, the troubled finances of the Social Security trust funds and various efforts to address the coming insolvency is another topic that drew plenty of eyeballs in 2024—as did the campaign promises made by President Elect Donald Trump to end the tax on Social Security benefits.
• It’s Official: 2025 Social Security COLA Set at 2.5%
• Second Trump Presidency: End of Tax on Social Security Benefits?
• Where the Candidates Stand on Social Security
• 7 Key Social Security Metrics for 2024
• Social Security Fairness Act Passes Senate
Best and worst places to retire
Every year, there are lots of lists released from a wide variety of sources about the best and worst places to retire—be it specific retirement communities, towns, cities, states or even foreign countries popular with American Expats. Often the lists focus on affordability, as in where your retirement savings will last the longest—or lists of the most expensive places to retire.
Here are some of the most popular “best places” articles we published in 2024:
• 5 Best and Worst States for Retirement 2024
• 2024’s 10 Best Places in the World to Retire
• Retiring on the Cheap: 5 Countries, 7 U.S. Cities Where You Can Retire on $2,000 a Month
• 10 Most Expensive U.S. Retirement Communities
• 10 ‘Wealthiest, Safest’ Retirement Towns
DOL Fiduciary Rule
The roller coaster ride that was the Department of Labor’s fiduciary rule made headlines several times during 2024. The introduction of the Retirement Security Rule aimed to update the definition of an investment advice fiduciary under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). It sought to ensure that financial professionals act in the best interests of retirement investors, providing prudent and loyal advice while avoiding conflicts of interest. The rule was scheduled to take effect on Sept. 23, 2024, with certain conditions in the prohibited transaction exemptions (PTEs) having a one-year transition period.
However, the rule faced significant legal challenges. In July 2024, a U.S. judge blocked the DOL’s new Retirement Security Rule from taking effect, ruling that it was arbitrary and conflicted with ERISA. The judge issued a nationwide injunction, preventing the rule from being implemented while the lawsuit proceeded. The insurance industry also mounted a legal offensive against the rule, arguing that it would limit consumer choice and deprive many of necessary advice. In August 2024, reports indicated that the industry’s efforts were succeeding in hindering the implementation of the new protections for retirement savers.
The January 2025 return of Donald Trump to the White House introduces additional uncertainty regarding the future of the fiduciary rule. The Trump administration has previously expressed opposition to such regulations, favoring less stringent oversight of financial advisors. It is anticipated that the new administration will take steps to further delay, modify, or potentially rescind the rule altogether.
• DOL Final Fiduciary Rule Released, Set to Become Effective in September
• Texas Judge Puts DOL Fiduciary Rule on Ice
• DOL Fiduciary Rule Hit with First Lawsuit
• Fiduciary Rule Reaction: For and Against
• DOL Fiduciary Rule, ESG Considerations Likely DOA Under Second Trump Term
• Fred Reish Unpacks the DOL’s New Fiduciary Rule
Retirement legislation
While 2024 didn’t see a major retirement bill like the SECURE Act or SECURE 2.0 get passed, it did see the introduction of some new retirement-focused bills that drew reader interest. Meanwhile, the bipartisan push to allow CITs in 403b plans have made significant progress but are not yet finalized. Advocacy groups, including the American Retirement Association, are actively supporting these measures, emphasizing the potential benefits for approximately 15 million 403(b) plan participants.
Legislation introduced in early February by Rep. Richard Neal (D-MA), Ranking Member of the House Ways & Means Committee, sought to expand retirement savings opportunities for millions of workers by requiring businesses with 10 or more employees to offer a workplace retirement plan—and quickly drew praise from retirement industry advocates.
The “Automatic IRA Act of 2024,” which has the support of the American Retirement Association and the Insured Retirement Institute, requires employers with 10 employees or more to provide or arrange for access to an automatic retirement contribution plan for all full-time and long-term part-time employees. Workers could decline to participate or drop out at any time after enrollment.
A bill introduced on Jan. 31, 2024 with some big Democratic names behind it sought to create children’s savings accounts (CSAs) for every single child in America. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) joined Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and Representatives Don Beyer (D-VA), Joyce Beatty (D-OH) and Suzan DelBene (D-WA) to introduce the 401Kids Savings Act.
Once the accounts are established for all newborns and kids under age 18, families, non-profits, employers, foundations, and others could contribute to a 401Kids Account which, starting at age 18, could be used for post-secondary education and training, a small business, a first home or retirement security. While all families could contribute up to $2,500 per year to the accounts, only lower- and moderate-incomes families would receive direct federal support.
• ‘Automatic IRA Act of 2024’ Enthusiastically Welcomed by Retirement Industry
• New ‘401Kids’ Bill Seeks to Create Savings Accounts for Every American Child
• Bipartisan Bill Introduced to Simplify Retirement Savings Distribution Options
• CITs in 403(b)s Saga Adds More Twists and Turns
Best of the rest
Some of the other topics that captured readers’ attention this year included some large settlements in ERISA lawsuits, growing interest in in-plan guaranteed lifetime income solutions, the IRS extending the deadline for certain RMDs, and a variety of 401(k) practice management subjects.
• $61 Million Settlement Finalized in GE ERISA Case
• UnitedHealth Group Agrees to Historic $69 Million 401(k) ERISA Settlement
• 401(k) Participants Express Strong Interest in Guaranteed Lifetime Income
• Q&A with MFS’ Jeri Savage: Plan Sponsor, Participant Surveys Uncover New Opportunities for Advisors
• Americans Likelier to Discuss Finances with Family in 2024
• IRS Extends Deadline for Certain RMDs
• 2025’s Best ERISA Law Firms Revealed; Groom Takes Top Honor