Nearly Half of 401(k) Participants Wouldn’t Save Without Employer Plans
Event summary
- 48% of 401(k) participants say they wouldn’t save for retirement without access to their employer-sponsored plan.
- 87% of Americans oppose eliminating tax advantages of defined contribution (DC) retirement accounts.
- 79% of Americans oppose government control of workers’ retirement assets.
- More than 80% of retirement savers are less worried about short-term market volatility due to steady paycheck contributions.
- Survey conducted by ICI and NORC AmeriSpeak® in fall 2025, reflecting responses from November and December 2025.
The big picture
The ICI survey underscores the critical role of employer-sponsored 401(k) plans in driving retirement savings, with nearly half of participants relying on these plans to save. The strong public opposition to changes in tax advantages and government control highlights the importance of maintaining the current retirement structure. This dynamic is crucial for financial services firms managing DC plans, as it ensures continued participation and investment in these vehicles.
What we're watching
- Policy Protection
- Whether policymakers will preserve the tax advantages and structural features of 401(k) plans amid public opposition to changes.
- Market Resilience
- How steady paycheck contributions will continue to mitigate short-term market volatility concerns among retirement savers.
- Retirement Autonomy
- The pace at which retirees will push back against proposals requiring annuitization of retirement accounts.
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