Policy

A look at the tools the president can wield and the public policy he might pursue.

This is a great opportunity to empower investors, but Morningstar recommends doing more.

Corporate business taxes set to rise, but not up to 2016 levels.

A narrow majority may pass new stimulus and raise the corporate business tax.

Lessons learned (so far) from the coronavirus and retirement savers.

The potential tax would raise revenue without explicitly raising tax rates for lower- and middle-income households.

Joe Biden’s tax plan would overhaul retirement plan tax benefits.

The election will determine the next move in the ongoing battle over the regulation of advice.

Part I of our series on the election and ordinary investors.

What the Department of Labor’s new proposal means for ordinary investors.

As the debut of pooled employer plans draws near, the current MEP system provides a useful test case for what can go right--and wrong.

One simple fix to bring down investment costs.

Investors should beware of the risks.

The election will determine the next move in the ongoing battle over the regulation of advice.

In 2006, Congress passed the Pension Protection Act. Can leaders do it again?

The Department of Labor’s new rules advance investor interests without imposing excessive costs on the financial-services industry, writes Morningstar’s Scott Cooley.

The formation of so-called multiple employer plans could help address the lack of workplace retirement options for many smaller-company workers.

Noted economist Teresa Ghilarducci doesn't seem to like 401(k)s.

Bob Reynolds says the right public policy can fix the retirement gap.

Having Glass-Steagall in place would not have prevented the last financial crisis. But reinstating it might make the next one even worse.

Slapping the 'systemically important financial institution' designation on asset managers could cost investors and the broader economy.

401(k)s are not perfect, but it is amazing how much they have improved.

Various proposals in DC to improve retirement access provide a great start, but in the absence of increased IRA limits, they won't get the job done.

It's hard to argue against putting retirement clients' interests first.

Mutual funds did not cause the financial crisis--and they should be regulated accordingly.

About half of Americans are financially on track for retirement, but the other half are falling well short.

Morningstar analysts say that investors should not worry about the court's impending decision.

You can blame Wall Street for a lot of things, but being the main cause of America's inadequate retirement savings is not one of them.

Exchange-traded managed funds seek to lower the costs and increase the tax efficiency of active management.

The Obama Administration pushes for brokers to be held to a fiduciary standard for retirement accounts.

Recently a laggard in retirement policy, the United States may have a chance to become a leader again.

In reaching mortgage-related settlements with the big banks, the Department of Justice forgot about investors.

A few tweaks to President Obama's proposals could improve retirement readiness for a lot of investors.

A proposal to expand Social Security ignores the importance of private savings.

Regardless of their political leanings, all investors should keep tabs on the possible impact of legislation and policy on their portfolios.

Upper-income investors may hope for political gridlock in 2015.