New association will be umbrella group for four organizations

A new association has formed to act as an umbrella group for four organizations representing professionals in pension and retirement planning.

The American Retirement Association will encompass the American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries, the ASPPA College of Actuaries, the National Association of Plan Advisors and the National Tax-deferred Savings Association, according to ASPPA CEO Brian Graff, who will also head the new organization.

"Our membership base has expanded dramatically over the past several years," Graff said in a statement. "This new name and structure allows us to better acknowledge and represent the distinct perspectives of an expanding array of retirement plan professionals in a dynamic and complex legislative and regulatory environment."

ARA will be a coordinator, overall industry advocate and provider of services like advocacy, media relations, conference support, communications and membership services, Graff said. However, each group will continue to have its own membership standards and classifications, and have its own governance structure.

Graff said the decision to create ARA was approved by member vote. The new association has its own website—usaretirement.org—and a logo in the shape of a nest egg.