Vanguard Settles SEC Allegations Over Misleading Statements on Tax Implications

Posted on February 20th, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Vanguard Settles SEC Allegations Over Misleading Statements on Tax Implications

From the desk of Jim Eccleston at Eccleston Law

Vanguard Group has agreed to pay over $106 million to settle allegations by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that it misled retail investors regarding capital gains distributions and tax liabilities associated with its popular target-date retirement funds.

According to AdvisorHub, the SEC's investigation focused on Vanguard's 2020 decision to lower the minimum initial investment for its Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement Funds. This change increased demand, which, according to the SEC, forced another Vanguard retirement fund to sell underlying assets with significant gains following the market rebound after the pandemic downturn.

As a result, retail investors holding Vanguard Investor Target Retirement Funds in taxable accounts faced historically large capital gains distributions and unexpected tax liabilities. The SEC also alleged that Vanguard failed to provide materially accurate information about these potential tax consequences.

As part of the settlement, Vanguard will distribute funds to impacted investors through a Fair Fund.

 

Eccleston Law LLC represents investors and financial advisors nationwide in securities, employment, transition, regulatory, and disciplinary matters.

Tags: eccleston, eccleston law, sec

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