FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BOSTON, MA (July 8, 2026) – The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), the nation’s leading small business advocacy organization, slammed the Massachusetts House today for tucking the “Secure Choice Savings Program” into the so-called economic development bill:

“Only in Massachusetts could lawmakers consider a massive new program mandating businesses of 25 employees or more enroll their workers into a state-run retirement plan or face hefty penalties and legal action as economic development,” said Christopher Carlozzi, Massachusetts state director for NFIB. “In a year where small businesses have been provided no relief from staggering unemployment insurance taxes, continuously rising health insurance premiums, and skyrocketing energy bills, the House thought it prudent to pile on more bureaucratic red tape and paperwork for Massachusetts employers. They certainly have a perverse definition of economic development if they think this will help grow jobs and create new economic opportunities.”

This is the House’s second attempt at passing the Secure Choice Savings Program, last year jamming it into the FY26 budget. Despite Governor Healey vetoing this proposal in 2025 citing her concerns, proponent opted to pass the exact same language in with a slew of other topics, hidden in a consolidated amendment to House Bill No. 5562, the supposed economic development package. The program threatens a $250 per employee fine if a business fails to implement this policy. It also allows employees to bring a civil action against their employer. Identical bills currently sit before both the House and Senate Committees on Ways and Means.

“Passing a new mandate on employers runs counter to lawmakers’ narrative regarding making Massachusetts a more affordable and competitive state to conduct business.” continued Carlozzi. “This Secure Choice Savings Program not only affects employers but will require workers to affirmatively opt out if they do not want money deducted from their paychecks. NFIB supports efforts to identify barriers to retirement savings, especially given the prevalence of low-cost savings options already available in the marketplace,” concluded Carlozzi. “However, we continue to oppose another payroll mandate on employers forcing them to manage and administer a new state-run program or face hefty fines and lawsuits.”

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For over 80 years, NFIB has been advocating on behalf of America’s small and independent business owners, both in Washington, D.C., and in all 50 state capitals. NFIB is nonprofit, nonpartisan, and member-driven. Since our founding in 1943, NFIB has been exclusively dedicated to small and independent businesses, and remains so today. For more information, please visit nfib.com.