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401(k) Plan Participants Report More Confidence
Participant Research
T. Rowe Price engaged NMG Consulting to conduct a national study of 3,016 retirement plan participants, 250 eligible non-plan participants, and 603 individuals without access to workplace savings plans. The online survey was conducted from June 13–25, 2019.
This first published segment of our research focuses on the relationship between 401(k) plan access and participation and the level of confidence savers have in their financial futures.
People who participate in 401(k) plans are 16% more likely to be confident about their retirement.
Key Findings
- People who participate in 401(k) plans are more confident about their financial futures than those who don’t participate or don’t have access to a plan—regardless of income or assets.
- Low-income households save more if they participate in a retirement plan.
- People who choose not to participate in workplace savings plans struggle more financially than those who don’t have access to workplace savings plans.
Plan Participation Leads to Greater Retirement Confidence
Our research found that people who participate in a 401(k) plan are 16% more likely to be confident about their retirement than those who don’t participate (even though they are eligible) or don’t have access.1
The Kim and Emily example shows that the effect of plan participation on confidence is only slightly less than having $300,000 more in assets.
Participants Benefit From Years of Saving and Healthy Financial Habits
Retirement plans play a pivotal role in setting a savings foundation in place. Even low-income participants are able to accumulate more savings than their non-saving peers (people who are eligible but don’t participate or those without plan access).
We looked at participants, eligible nonparticipants, and those without plan access who are within the same income range and examined their savings behavior.
401(k)s Facilitate Higher Savings, Even Among Low-Income Households
Even low-income participants accumulate substantially greater savings than their non-saving peers.
Among those making $25,000 or less, 401(k) plan participants saved 10 times more on average than peers without access to a plan and 20 times more than those who have access to a 401(k) plan but choose not to participate.
Eligible Nonparticipants Have More Financial Concerns About Retirement
Individuals who were eligible for but not saving in a retirement plan reported more financial concerns about retirement, saying that they were worried about running out of money, needing to reduce their standard of living, and having to work at least part-time in retirement.
1 Based on results from an ordered logistic regression where level of confidence around retirement was regressed on plan participation, household income, investible household assets, age, gender, marital status, education, and race. Responses to “How confident are you about retirement?” on a scale of 1 (not at all) to 10 (very): 1 to 6 for non-confident, 7 to 10 for confident.
Important Information
This material has been prepared by T. Rowe Price for general and educational purposes only. This material does not provide fiduciary recommendations concerning investments, nor is it intended to serve as the primary basis for investment decision-making. T. Rowe Price, its affiliates, and its associates do not provide legal or tax advice. Any tax-related discussion contained in this material, including any attachments/links, is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of (i) avoiding any tax penalties or (ii) promoting, marketing, or recommending to any other party any transaction or matter addressed herein. Please consult your independent legal counsel and/or professional tax advisor regarding any legal or tax issues raised in this material. Information contained herein is based upon sources we consider to be reliable; we do not, however, guarantee its accuracy.
T. Rowe Price Investment Services, Inc.
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