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DOL urged to issue clearer retirement plan data privacy guidance

GAO issued report GAO-26-107271 recommending that the Department of Labor issue additional guidance clarifying acceptable uses of participant data by retirement plan service providers. GAO reviewed 31 service provider privacy disclosures and found inconsistent adoption of leading privacy practices, with most lacking consent requirements for data sharing beyond original purposes. DOL has not taken enforcement actions against retirement plans for data sharing under ERISA.

HUD-VASH Program Staffing and Referral Documentation Issues

GAO released audit findings on the HUD-VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program, revealing that VA did not refer approximately 174,000 eligible veterans to the program during 2020-2024, with reasons undocumented in 87% of cases. The audit identified chronic case manager staffing shortages with 20-26% annual turnover and over 20% vacancy rates at many VA medical centers. GAO made recommendations to improve documentation practices, hiring strategies, and program evaluation.

GAO Report on CMS Innovation Center's Healthcare Models and Spending

The GAO has released a report detailing the CMS Innovation Center's activities, noting that it has tested 70 health care models since 2010, obligating $11.4 billion. The report also examines the Center's performance management practices and its expansion of four successful models nationwide.

GAO Report: SEC Staff Procedure Assessments Need Improvement

A GAO report released March 27, 2026, found that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) could improve its annual assessments of internal supervisory controls and staff procedures for investigations, examinations, and filing reviews. The report identified specific areas for improvement, including the Division of Enforcement's lack of specific testing standards and the Division of Corporation Finance's undocumented controls.

Teacher Professional Development Research Mixed, Collaborative Learning Most Useful

A GAO report indicates that while teacher professional development is generally linked to higher student test scores, research on specific effective elements is mixed. Collaborative learning opportunities were most frequently cited by teachers as beneficial. The report also notes the flexibility of the Department of Education's Title II-A grant program.

Cyber Workforce Dashboard Not Used by Agencies, Needs Improvements

The GAO found that the Office of Personnel Management's Cyber Workforce Dashboard is largely unused by federal agencies, with five of six selected agencies and OPM itself not utilizing the tool due to functionality and data issues. GAO recommended OPM either terminate the Dashboard or implement significant improvements based on agency feedback.

MBDA Programs Grow Businesses, Access Capital, Markets

A GAO report reviewed the Minority Business Development Agency's (MBDA) performance monitoring and program oversight of its business centers. The report found that most centers met performance goals, but some required improvement plans. The report also details the impact of early 2025 executive orders on MBDA's operations and data access, which were later partially rescinded by court orders.

SEC Workforce Changes and Employee Survey Results

The GAO reported that the SEC implemented significant personnel changes since January 2025, including voluntary departures and a return to full-time in-office work, impacting over 12% of staff. While employee surveys showed positive results, staff raised concerns about workforce reductions and telework cancellation.

GAO: Education Needs to Strengthen Student Loan and College Accountability

The GAO has reported that the Department of Education needs to strengthen its oversight of student loan servicers and colleges. Staff reductions have led to the discontinuation of key assessments for servicer accuracy and call quality, potentially costing the government over $850,000 in penalties for poor performance.

GAO Report: OMB Needs to Address AI Privacy Gaps

A GAO report released on March 26, 2026, found that the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) government-wide AI guidance does not fully address privacy risks and challenges associated with AI adoption by federal agencies. The report recommends that OMB provide agencies with more direction on these issues.