Summary
New research from the Employee Benefit Research Institute examines how student loan debt affects 401(k) participation, employee contribution rates, and retirement account balances among U.S. workers. The study also explores which employees could benefit from student loan retirement matching programs authorized under SECURE 2.0, including programs that allow employers to make retirement contributions based on qualified student loan payments. Using retirement plan data combined with anonymized student loan information, the research provides employers, benefits professionals, policymakers, and financial wellness leaders with evidence to inform retirement plan design and support workers balancing student loan repayment with long-term retirement saving.