# 119-hr-2023: Women's Retirement Protection Act

119-hr-2023, Women's Retirement Protection Act, is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Rep. Underwood, Lauren [D-IL-14] (D-IL); status introduced; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-07-08).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-2023
- As of: 2026-07-08
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-hr-2023
- Congress: 119
- Title: Women's Retirement Protection Act
- Status: introduced
- Introduced: 2025-03-11
- Sponsor: Rep. Underwood, Lauren [D-IL-14] (D-IL)
- Cosponsors: 16
- Policy area: Labor and Employment
- Touches household money: yes
- Last recorded action: 2026-07-08

## Summary

**Expanded spousal consent protections for retirement accounts** would require a spouse's written, witnessed approval for many withdrawals, beneficiary changes, and certain rollovers. The bill would align Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) rules with the tax code, and fund consumer information, financial literacy initiatives, and grants focused on women's retirement security. - Women, survivors, and families: Would make it harder for one spouse to move or drain defined contribution plan assets without the other spouse's consent. The bill also creates grants to help low-income women and survivors of domestic violence obtain qualified domestic relations orders, with each grant at least $250,000. - Workers with defined contribution plans: Plans would be required to follow a specific written consent process that includes an explanation to the spouse, timing and witness rules, and coordinated tax-treatment for rollovers. The measure creates or expands a private right of action under ERISA for violations of these consent rules. - Employers and plan administrators: Would need to amend plan documents and follow transition and implementation timing set in the statute to comply with the new consent and tax-alignment rules. *It would authorize $100 million annually starting in fiscal year 2026 for the QDRO assistance grants, increasing federal spending.*

## Cosponsors (16)

- Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1] (D-OR), 2025-03-11T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9] (D-IL), 2025-03-11T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Norcross, Donald [D-NJ-1] (D-NJ), 2025-03-11T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10] (D-NJ), 2025-03-11T00:00:00.000Z
- Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large] (D-DC), 2025-03-11T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12] (D-MI), 2025-03-11T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Grijalva, Raúl M. [D-AZ-7] (D-AZ), 2025-03-11T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1] (D-ME), 2025-03-11T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Lee, Summer L. [D-PA-12] (D-PA), 2025-03-14T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. McClain Delaney, April [D-MD-6] (D-MD), 2025-03-21T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2] (D-MA), 2025-03-21T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24] (D-CA), 2025-04-07T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Sykes, Emilia Strong [D-OH-13] (D-OH), 2025-07-25T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Haridopolos, Mike [R-FL-8] (R-FL), 2025-08-26T00:00:00.000Z
- Rescom. Hernández, Pablo Jose [D-PR-At Large] (D-PR), 2025-12-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2] (D-NC), 2026-07-06T00:00:00.000Z

## Provisions PRIA read

- Help for women with retirement orders: benefit, medium. If enacted, the Department of Labor would fund groups that help low-income women and survivors of domestic violence get and enforce court orders that split retirement benefits. Grants would be at least $250,000 each. The bill authorizes $100 million each year starting in fiscal year 2026. Funds cou…
- Spousal consent for retirement withdrawals: benefit, medium. If enacted, most 401(k)-style plans would need your spouse’s written, witnessed OK before certain payouts or beneficiary changes. For payouts, consent would generally be signed in the 90 days before payment. Plans would also have to give you a written notice of your and your spouse’s rights. Some e…
- Retirement offers must link to consumer info: benefit, low. If enacted, companies offering retirement financial products would need to include a link to a federal website with unbiased planning information. The Financial Literacy and Education Commission would publish the link and how it should appear. This requirement would begin upon enactment.
- Financial coaching for women's retirement: benefit, low. If enacted, the Department of Labor would give grants to teach money and retirement planning to women. Grants would be at least $250,000. The bill authorizes $100 million each year starting in fiscal year 2026. Programs could include classes, outreach, and one‑on‑one counseling.

## Related bills

- 119-hr-9877: Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2026
- 119-hr-7977: Energy Bills Relief Act
- 119-hr-51: Washington, D.C. Admission Act
- 119-hr-7973: Momnibus Act
- 119-hr-1589: American Dream and Promise Act of 2025
- 119-hr-1810: Safe Schools Improvement Act

## Sources
- [119-hr-2023 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/2023)

## Related
- [119-hr-9877: Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-9877)
- [119-hr-7977: Energy Bills Relief Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-7977)
- [119-hr-51: Washington, D.C. Admission Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-51)
- [119-hr-7973: Momnibus Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-7973)
- [119-hr-1589: American Dream and Promise Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-1589)
- [119-hr-1810: Safe Schools Improvement Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-1810)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-2023 (as of 2026-07-08).