The bipartisan SECURE Act circulating through Congress aims to improve the nation’s retirement system. According to a U.S. Government Accountability Office review, it’s estimated that about 48% of households age 55 and older had no retirement savings in 2016. For those saving, the average 401(k) balance rose to $103,700 during the first quarter of 2019 and the average IRA balance was $107,100. (This includes an average of millennial savers of $27,600 and baby boomers at $192,800.) Through the SECURE Act, Washington hopes key changes will provide new opportunities for Americans to save and prepare for a secure retirement. This bill attempts to create incentives and provide lower-cost solutions for small employers. It looks to improve plan access to part-time employees and postpone the age for required minimum distributions. The 27 current provisions of the SECURE Act are far-reaching and discussions in the media will continue to explore the potential impact. Each retirement and planning situation is unique. The opportunities created by this pending legislation increase the importance of educating yourself on retirement options and taking charge of your account online to utilize the tools and services provided by your employer plan.