The House-passed tax reform bill (H.R. 3838) would have a major impact on the operations of the Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association-College Retirement Equity Fund (TIAA-CREF). This paper discusses the issues raised by provisions in H.R. 3838 that would: (1) repeal the organization's tax-exempt status, (2) impose nondiscrimination standards on the retirement plans covering employees of colleges and universities, (3) limit contributions that employees may elect to make before taxes to their retirement plan, (4) coordinate salary deferrals made to the TIAA-CREF plan with the limits on Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs), and (5) under certain circumstances, impose a 15 percent excise tax on early withdrawals.,Ray Schmitt and Richard A. Hobbie, Specialists in Social Legislation, Education and Public Welfare Division.,CRS 86-530 EPW,"January 28, 1986.",SuDoc# 14. 18/3

This paper provides a brief description and reexamination of a proposal to establish a minimum universal pension system (MUPS) as a public policy response to low and stagnated pension coverage. It also discusses the trade-offs between traditional defined benefit pension plans and a defined contribution arrangement such as a MUPS.

While most private pension plans are sufficiently funded, some are seriously underfunded. This paper discusses these issues and the legislative options being studied to address the problems confronting the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) and the optimal funding of private pension plans.

Protection and guarantees for employees covered by private pension and welfare benefit plans are provided in the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). This report summarizes the provisions of ERISA and pertinent provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as amended through the Single-Employer Pension Plan Amendments Act of 1986.

Ray Schmitt, Specialist in Social Legislation, Education and Public Welfare Division,CRS 85-692 EPW,"April 15, 1985.",SuDoc# 14. 18/3