Issue Briefs

A recurring issue with defined contribution (DC) savings plans such as the 401(k) is the risk of “leakage”--preretirement reductions in plan savings by workers, either through loans, hardship withdrawals, or payouts at job change. EBRI’s spring policy forum, attended by about a hundred benefits experts, highlighted new work on leakage as part of its session on “Retirement Challenges and Reforms.” Press release. EBRI Notes Aug 9, 2016 8 pages

In the wake of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), fewer small employers are offering health benefits to their workers, but big employers are holding steady, according to new findings by EBRI. Press release. EBRI Notes Jul 28, 2016 8 pages

The share of both private-sector self-insured health plans and of covered workers in self-insured health plans have increased among small- and midsized firms since enactment of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in 2010, according to new research from EBRI. Press release. EBRI Notes Jul 27, 2016 8 pages

Enactment of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in 2010 had the effect of significantly increasing health coverage for historically uninsured groups in California, such as young adults, lower-income, Hispanics, and small-business and self-employed workers between 2013-2014, after key provisions took effect, according to new research by EBRI. Press release. EBRI Notes Jul 26, 2016 8 pages

Interest in target-date and other types of balanced funds remained strong through 2014, with younger plan participants more likely to hold target-date funds than older participants, according to a new joint study released today by the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) and the Investment Company Institute (ICI). EBRI Issue Brief Apr 28, 2016 80 pages

With the United States facing an estimated national retirement savings shortfall of $4.13 trillion, how can more Americans be brought into a retirement savings plan, and how can they be persuaded to save enough to cover expected costs in retirement? Those questions were explored by a panel of retirement experts at EBRI’s 77th policy forum held Dec. 10, 2015, focusing on policy proposals aimed at increasing private-sector retirement plan coverage and possible improvements to retirement plan designs by sponsors of retirement plans. Press release. EBRI Notes Apr 27, 2016 16 pages

Recent data show that, across the board, fewer American retirees say they are “very satisfied” with their retirements, while a growing number of retirees report that they are “not at all satisfied” with their retirements. Press release. EBRI Notes Apr 26, 2016 16 pages

Although most American workers are satisfied with the health insurance benefits they have now, there is a long-term trend toward wanting more cash and fewer benefits, according to a new survey by EBRI. Press release. EBRI Notes Mar 24, 2016 12 pages

Even though Congress recently enacted a two-year delay in the so-called “Cadillac tax” on high-cost health plans under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), private-sector employers are already starting to prepare for it and some workers are already feeling its effects. To clarify what the tax would do and how employers and health-plan sponsors are reacting to it, EBRI held a policy forum on Dec. 10, 2015, attended by about a hundred health experts and other benefits professionals, to discuss “The Excise Tax on High-Cost Health Plans,” which is summarized here. Press release. EBRI Notes Mar 23, 2016 12 pages

While overall confidence about being able to afford a comfortable retirement has plateaued among American workers, preparations to save for retirement are still lagging, according to the 2016 Retirement Confidence Survey (RCS) by EBRI and Greenwald & Associates. EBRI Issue Brief Mar 22, 2016 40 pages