If you’re old enough to flip burgers, serve coffee, or serve your country at 18, you should be able to save for retirement too.
That’s why I fully support the bipartisan Helping Young Americans Save for Retirement Act (H.R. 4718). This bill would require employers to open up their 401(k) plans to workers as young as 18. It’s common sense. Right now, too many employers still use age 21 as a barrier, shutting out young adults during three of the most valuable years for compound interest.
We always say start early, so let’s back that up with action. This bill doesn’t just expand access; it smartly avoids punishing employers near audit thresholds by excluding these new participants from audits for five years. It’s policy that understands the real world.
This isn’t a partisan issue. It’s a fairness issue. If we want to close the generational wealth gap, we need to let young workers build wealth in the first place.
I started working young. A lot of us did. And I wish I had the opportunity to start saving sooner. This bill gives the next generation that chance.
Let them save.
