By the Numbers: Managed Account Availability

Most surveyed recordkeepers can accommodate managed accounts, but there is a wide range of adoption and availability of providers.

Managed accounts have long divided opinions in the retirement plan industry, but access to the service appears widespread. The 2026 PLANSPONSOR Recordkeeping Survey polled 36 recordkeepers and found that 72.4% of their recordkeeping systems accommodated adviser-managed accounts by year-end 2025. (PLANSPONSOR, like PLANADVISER, is owned by ISS STOXX.) 

What varies more significantly is participant access to providers. While most recordkeepers that offer managed accounts support at least one provider, access to multiple providers remains relatively uncommon. Nearly two-thirds of respondents offered just one managed account provider, while only 20% offered three or more.

Among managed account providers, Morningstar was available on the most recordkeeping platforms, cited by 36% of respondents. Stadion followed at 25%, while Edelman Financial Engines was cited by 22%. The full recordkeeper responses are listed below.

Yet broad availability has not necessarily translated into broad enthusiasm among plan sponsors. Findings from the 2026 PLANSPONSOR Defined Contribution Plan Benchmarking Report suggest managed accounts continue to rank low among sponsors’ priorities and perceived sources of participant outcomes.

When asked which third-party services were most valuable to them, plan sponsors gave managed account oversight the lowest average score among the services evaluated. Managed accounts also ranked near the bottom when sponsors were asked which defined contribution plan features would have the greatest impact on improving participant retirement income.

The findings highlight a contrast in the managed account market: While recordkeepers have largely built the infrastructure to support managed accounts, plan sponsor demand remains comparatively muted.


Which third-party services are most valuable to you in your role as a retirement plan sponsor? (Out of possible 5.0.)

Complying with fiduciary responsibilities
4.5
Manages plan admin, reporting
4.4
Manages plan fees, fee benchmarking
4.1
Select/monitor core investment menu 
4.0
Select/monitor target-date funds
3.8
Select/monitor managed account services 
3.7
Source: 2026 PLANSPONSOR Plan Benchmarking Report

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Which DC plan feature will have the greatest impact on improving participant outcomes?

Participant education
48.7%
Holistic financial wellness tools
18.6%
One-on-one planning with adviser
18.3%
Default investment, QDIA fund performance 
5%
In-plan guaranteed income 
4.7%
Personalized asset allocation through managed accounts 
4.6%
Source: 2026 PLANSPONSOR Plan Benchmarking Report

Industry Access to Managed Account Platforms

Availability is determined by recordkeeper partnerships

ProviderManaged Account / Advice Providers Available
ADPEdelman Financial Engines, Morningstar, Mesirow
Alerus Retirement and BenefitsOther
AlightEdelman Financial Engines
Ameritas Life Insurance Corp., United StatesStadion, Other
AscensusMorningstar, Stadion, Other
Bank of America CorporationOther
BOK FinancialOther
Capital GroupNone, managed accounts not offered
Corebridge FinancialMorningstar, Other
Correll Co.Other
EmpowerEdelman Financial Engines, Morningstar
EPIC Retirement Plan ServicesStadion, Other
EquitableStadion
Fidelity InvestmentsEdelman Financial Engines, ProManage, Other
Human InterestOther
J.P. Morgan Asset ManagementOther
John HancockMorningstar
July Business ServicesStadion
Lincoln FinancialMorningstar, Stadion
Milliman, Inc.Morningstar
MissionSquareMorningstar
Nationwide FinancialStadion, Other
NFP, an Aon CompanyNone, managed accounts not offered
NWPSEdelman Financial Engines, Other
PlanMember SecuritiesOther
Principal Financial GroupEdelman Financial Engines, Morningstar, Other
Schwab Retirement Plan Services, Inc.Morningstar
T. Rowe Price Retirement Plan Services, Inc.Edelman Financial Engines, Morningstar, Other
The StandardStadion, Other
The Vanguard GroupEdelman Financial Engines, Morningstar, Mesirow, Other
TIAAMorningstar, Mesirow, Other
Transamerica Retirement Solutions, LLCOther 
TruStageStadion
VestwellOther 
Voya FinancialOther 
Source: 2026 PLANSPONSOR Recordkeeping Survey

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