Retirement

The average 401(k) plan account balance of workers who participated consistently in one 401(k) plan increased significantly over the four-year period ending at year-end 2014, according to new data published today by the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) and the Investment Company Institute (ICI). EBRI Issue Brief Sep 8, 2016 28 pages

What’s the average balance of an individual retirement account (IRA)? New research by EBRI shows that it matters how you count. For instance, looking just at the balance per account, the average amount was just over $100,000 in 2014, the latest data available. But if you look at the total IRA balance per individual IRA owner, the average amount was almost $127,600—almost a third higher. EBRI Issue Brief Aug 25, 2016 48 pages

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

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

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

CPS: Estimates from the new and redesigned Current Population Survey (CPS) by the U.S. Census Bureau show a drop in the percentage of Americans who participate in a workplace retirement plan. However, the results raise doubts about the use of CPS data to assess current and future retirement plan coverage policies, according to a new analysis by EBRI. Press release.

Generational Views of Benefits: Compared to their older cohorts, Millennial workers are less interested and knowledgeable about their work place benefits, and prefer life insurance over health insurance, according to a new analysis by EBRI. Press release.

EBRI Notes Dec 17, 2015 28 pages

On average, households spend less once they retire—but not all households, and not in the same ways. New research from EBRI finds that while average spending in retirement falls in the first two years in retirement, nearly half of retired households actually spent more than they did just before retirement. That declines over time. EBRI Issue Brief Nov 19, 2015 20 pages

Benefits Survey: More than three-quarters of American workers say their workplace benefits package is important to their decision to take or reject a job, according to new research by EBRI and Greenwald & Associates. Press release.

DC Benefits: Private-sector retirement benefits have long been dominated by “defined contribution” plans funded primarily by workers’ own contributions. Private-sector health benefits are still funded primarily by employers, but that may be starting to change with the advent of “defined contribution” health plans. This has major implications for the American work force, the U.S. health care system, and even economic security in the nation, which were explored at EBRI’s 76th policy forum held in Washington this spring. Press release.

EBRI Notes Nov 18, 2015 28 pages