Data & Research

Advisers are most interested in adding HSAs, 529s and emergency savings accounts to their offerings, according to a survey by small plan provider Vestwell.

Adding private market investments to TDFs can boost retirement income as much as 2%, according to Georgetown and WTW research.

The research shows that most people don’t know average life expectancies, but women have a better handle on it than men.

Advisers and plan sponsors should consider both use and education around target-date funds after 2022 declines, according to new research from MFS.

Almost half of respondents agreed annuities can offer safety and stability, though other research shows in-plan defined contribution annuities are not picking up among employers.

Employers have embraced 401(k) plan benefits changes for 2023, but are still shying away from annuities, according to Alight.

Retirement plan consulting and actuary head says COVID-19 has muddled mortality outcome tracking, with the industry awaiting delayed IRS mortality improvement tables.

Workers are increasingly dipping into savings to cover costs that are increasing due to inflation, creating a moment for advisers to work with plan sponsors on their financial benefit programs.

Retirement contribution rates reached record highs, with combined worker and employer contributions equal to 13.9% of pay in 2021, new data from the Plan Council of America show.

Although women live longer than men, many retire earlier than planned and few can save enough to reach the income replacement levels as men in retirement.

Morningstar researchers say higher interest rates and lower equity evaluations will make starting with a 3.8% withdrawal rate safe for a balanced saver over a 30-year time horizon.

According to a Charles Schwab report, the average account balance decreased approximately 20%, year-over-year.

Retirement plan advisers respond to DC recordkeepers that are present, active, and trusted partners, according to an annual Cogent Syndicated brand survey.

In the financial services sector, base salaries increase 4% to 5% for the second straight year in 2022, while bonuses are set to fall amid volatile markets, according to Johnson Associates.

Data from more than 35 million participants in Fidelity accounts shows a steep hit to balances during the market downturn, but the majority of workers (86%) kept their savings contributions unchanged.

Research from Voya finds U.S. workers still value a retirement plan about as much as a flexible work arrangement. Ubiquity Retirement + Savings backed up the findings, saying it will double sales of 401(k)s in part due to the war for talent.

U.S. consumers have a growing appetite for professional financial advice, but more than half of people relying on their employer-sponsored plan don’t go beyond self-service options, according to Hearts & Wallets.  

Experts caution against including political values in investment strategy, but explain that ESG is not a political agenda.

Gap in website satisfaction between large and small asset managers could lead to less investment.

A new survey finds that a majority of advisers expect marketing efforts to play a big role in growing their client base as they prepare for 2023.