Allspring Study Reveals Retirement Plan Participants Seek Guidance…

Event summary

Allspring Global Investments released its 2026 retirement study, surveying 1,510 U.S. adults with $200K+ in investable assets.
64% of respondents expect to move their savings at retirement, especially if working with an advisor.
70% of participants prioritize access and control over guaranteed retirement income.
Use of target date funds (TDFs) drops sharply among retired respondents compared to near-retirees.
Three distinct retirement success personas identified: safety-focused (45%), return-focused (35%), and tax-efficiency-focused (20%).

The big picture

Allspring's study highlights the growing complexity of retirement planning as participants demand personalized solutions that align with their individual definitions of success. The findings underscore the strategic challenge for asset managers to offer guidance without sacrificing the control and flexibility that participants increasingly prioritize. With $642 billion in assets under advisement, Allspring's insights could influence how retirement plans are structured and communicated across the industry.

What we're watching

Plan Retention Strategy: How sponsors will balance guidance and flexibility to retain participants through retirement.
Income Solutions: Whether sponsors can effectively address competing priorities of income protection and control.
Personalization: The pace at which firms integrate disparate definitions of retirement success into guidance.