As ERISA Turns 52, New Report Finds America’s Retirement System Has Left Millions of Workers Behind
Washington, D.C. – Labor Day 2026 marks 52 years since President Gerald Ford signed the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA, Pub. L. 93-406) into law on Labor Day, September 2, 1974 — a law he said would give workers “much more clearly defined rights to pension funds and greater assurances that […]
Most Home Buyers And Sellers Are Routinely Charged “Junk” Fees That Sometimes Exceed $1,000
Download Release Washington, D.C. – A new report issued by the Consumer Policy Center today – “Junk” Fees Charged to Both Home Sellers and Buyers: An Overview – found that “junk” fees are routinely charged home buyers and sellers, sometimes without proper disclosures. The fees are called many different names but most commonly are […]
New Report Documents Dependence Of Retirees On Social Security
Washington, D.C. – At a time when both consumers and experts worry about Social Security adequacy and solvency, the Consumer Policy Center (CPC) is releasing a new report on this program that was written by a longtime expert on retirement programs and benefits. The report – Social Security at the Center: The Last […]
New Virtual Exhibitions On Food Industry Practices And Health
Download Release The National Food Museum has opened two new virtual exhibitions that provide practical information to Americans about their own diets and about the marketing of foods to children. The Food Impact Meter is an online calculator that informs consumers about the health and environmental impacts of their diets. It also offers personalized […]
Consumers Often Misunderstand Homeowners Insurance Policies Even After Reading Them
View Journal Article Washington, D.C. – A new article published in the Virginia Law Review reveals that consumers often struggle to understand what homeowners insurance policies cover, even when they are given the relevant policy language to read. The article, Read But Not Understood? An Empirical Analysis of Consumer Comprehension in Homeowners Insurance, was authored […]
DOL Alternative Investments Proposal Threatens Americans’ Retirement Security
Washington, D.C. – In order to make it easier for workplace retirement plans, such as 401(k) plans, to incorporate “alternative assets” in their investment lineups, the Department of Labor (DOL) has proposed a new rule that would shield retirement plan sponsors from legal accountability when selecting investment options. The rule proposal is designed to implement […]
Compass Threatens to Dominate Residential Real Estate Market
Washington, D.C. – Today the Consumer Policy Center (CPC) is releasing a new report revealing the increasing dominance of Compass Real Estate, their strategies for dominance, and issues that will affect its future. The study – Compass Expansion: New Data on Market Share and Double-Ending – provides new data on Compass’s expanding market share and […]
Proposed Rules for Stablecoins Have Pluses and Minuses
Washington, D.C. – In July 2025, the GENIUS Act, a Federal law regulating payment stablecoins went into effect. This new form of currency is being offered by services such as PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Play, and in the future, will be issued by banks, bank card companies, and major retailers. In […]
New Report Links Iran War To Both Oil And Earlier Interventions
View Report Washington, D.C. –Today, the Consumer Policy Center (CPC) is releasing a report by senior fellow Jay Hakes – U.S. Military Interventions and Oil: A History of Unanticipated Political and Economic Costs. The report shows that a key link between Middle East (and Venezuelan) interventions is oil as both a cause and effect. […]
Real Estate Referral Fees Harm Consumers
Washington, D.C. – A 19-page report released today by the Consumer Policy Center (CPC) reveals that referral fees reinforce high commission rates and jeopardize the quality of consumer service. The report – Commission-Based Home-Referral Services: Consumer Impacts and Proposed Reforms – focuses special attention on referral companies, including Zillow and Realtor.com, that […]