Which financial authority oversees the regulations in retirement accounts?

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) oversees the regulations in retirement accounts, particularly focusing on the conduct of broker-dealers and their interactions with investors. FINRA sets the standards for the sale and advice of securities, including those held within retirement accounts like IRAs and 401(k)s. The organization implements rules designed to protect investors by ensuring that financial professionals act in their clients' best interests, especially when it comes to long-term investment vehicles such as retirement accounts.

This authority is vital for ensuring that the recommendations made to individuals about their retirement savings are suitable based on their investment objectives, financial situation, and risk tolerance. As there are specific rules regarding the handling of retirement accounts, FINRA plays a crucial role in enforcing these regulations and guiding the industry on compliance matters.

While other financial authorities, such as the SEC, have broader oversight of securities markets and general securities regulations, they do not specifically regulate the conduct of broker-dealers in the same way that FINRA does. The MSRB focuses on municipal securities, and the Federal Reserve manages monetary policy and regulates banks, neither of which specifically pertains to the oversight of retirement accounts.