What significant change did the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Act (EGTRRA) introduced in 2001?

The Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act (EGTRRA) of 2001 brought several important changes aimed at enhancing retirement savings. One of the most significant changes it introduced was the broadening of tax benefits for retirement savings. This included increasing contribution limits for 401(k) plans and Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs), thereby allowing individuals to save more for retirement on a tax-advantaged basis.

EGTRRA also made provisions for catch-up contributions specifically for individuals aged 50 and older, enabling them to contribute additional amounts to their retirement accounts as they approached retirement. Additionally, the act facilitated automatic enrollment in retirement plans and enhanced portability of retirement benefits, promoting easier transfers of benefits from one plan to another.

These changes collectively aimed at incentivizing individuals to save more for their future, ultimately encouraging greater participation in retirement plans and enhancing the overall retirement security for American workers.