Retirement

American workers and retirees are expressing higher confidence about their ability to afford retirement this year, even though there is little sign they are taking the necessary steps to achieve that goal, according to the 25th annual Retirement Confidence Survey—the longest-running survey of its kind. EBRI Issue Brief Apr 21, 2015 40 pages

Savings needs: How much do workers need to have saved for retirement at different ages? And based on their age and income, how much needs to be contributed to their defined contribution plan to ensure a financially successful retirement? New research from EBRI helps answer these important questions.

Health account contributions: Both employers and workers decreased their contributions to health savings accounts (HSAs) last year, according to new research from EBRI.

EBRI Notes Mar 26, 2015 28 pages

EBRI Testimony March 12, 2015 27 pages

How do retirees spend their out-of-pocket money on health care in retirement? New research from EBRI separates recurring and non-recurring health-care services and finds that usage and expenses of recurring health-care services remain stable throughout retirement, while usage of non-recurring ones increase with age and tend to be more expensive. EBRI Issue Brief Feb 23, 2015 24 pages

Tenure Trends: American workers are continuing to stay a bit longer in their jobs, according to new data from EBRI. The overall median tenure of workers—the midpoint of wage and salary workers’ length of employment in their current jobs—was slightly higher in 2014, at 5.5 years, compared with 5.0 years in 1983. Press release.

Views on Health Benefits: Most workers are satisfied with the health benefits they have now, but nearly one-third express interest in changing the current mix of benefits and wages offered by their employers, according to the latest findings from EBRI. Press release.

EBRI Notes Feb 19, 2015 24 pages

How big is the retirement savings gap that most Americans are likely to face? New research from EBRI indicates it varies widely by gender, marital status and other factors, but the aggregate national retirement savings deficit is about $4.13 trillion for all U.S. households between age 25 and 64. EBRI Issue Brief Feb 17, 2015 28 pages

HSAs: Who contributes the maximum amount to their health savings accounts (HSAs)? New research by EBRI finds that about 15 percent of HSA owners contributed the maximum amount possible in 2013. Press release.

Debt: A larger share of older American families had debt in 2013, and those with debt loads that are considered problematic also increased, according to a new report from EBRI. Press release. 

EBRI Notes Jan 29, 2015 24 pages

The evolution of 401(k) plan designs has resulted in a significant increase in the use of balanced funds, including target-date funds, by recently hired 401(k) plan participants in 2013 compared with recently hired participants 15 years ago, according to a newly updated annual report by EBRI and ICI. EBRI Issue Brief Dec 18, 2014 56 pages

While the share of families with an individual account retirement plan is ticking down, the assets in those plans are going up, according to a new analysis by EBRI. Press release.

EBRI Issue Brief Nov 20, 2014 28 pages

Retiree health savings: The vast majority of workers say their benefits package is important to their decision to take a job, as supported by the high take-up rates when benefits are offered, according to a new report by EBRI. Press release.

Retirement gap: Among the victims of the "Great Recession" of 2008?2009 was the retirement expectations of many Americans. New research from EBRI has quantified just how much those hopes suffered. Press release.

EBRI Notes Nov 18, 2014 24 pages