Plan Sponsor Survey 2026

In our annual Retirement Survey & Insights Report, our participant-focused research has consistently identified competing financial priorities as a growing reality making retirement savings affordability a central concern for savers.
am-plan-sponsor-survey-2026_16-9_1360x765.png

Plan Sponsor Survey 2026

In our annual Retirement Survey & Insights Report, our participant-focused research has consistently identified competing financial priorities as a growing reality making retirement savings affordability a central concern for savers.
am-plan-sponsor-survey-2026_21-9_1840x788.png

Plan Sponsor Survey 2026

In our annual Retirement Survey & Insights Report, our participant-focused research has consistently identified competing financial priorities as a growing reality making retirement savings affordability a central concern for savers.
am-plan-sponsor-survey-2026_3-1_2480x827.png

Plan sponsors are pivotal to America’s retirement system, significantly influencing how millions of individuals save and prepare for their financial futures. Therefore, we also surveyed retirement plan sponsors to understand how they approach the challenges faced by their employees, and what benefits and plan design enhancements they may be considering to ensure their employees can reach retirement prepared.

Key Findings

Plan Sponsor Perspectives

Some plan sponsors possess diverse perspectives on the function of retirement plans within their overall employee benefits packages, with a holistic approach representing the most prevalent choice. Others focus solely on retirement savings or benchmarking against competitors. Plan sponsors we surveyed believe that only 33% of their employees are on track for retirement.

Investment Menu Innovation

Plan sponsor respondent’s top considerations for the next 12 months include enhancing inflation protection options, adding personalized investment solutions like managed accounts, and integrating private market strategies. These insights signal a clear focus towards more sophisticated, personalized, and protective investment solutions for retirement plan participants.

Retirement Income Remains a Top Consideration

Retirement income seems to continue to be a complex challenge for the industry, with a growing number of plan sponsors considering ways to offer solutions that extend beyond the accumulation phase. Among plan sponsors surveyed, the top objective is to provide income that is guaranteed for life relative to other stable income or growth-oriented options.

Advice and Managed Accounts

Access to personalized managed accounts continues to grow, with 75% of plans offering this service. Plan sponsors aim to prioritize features like custom configuration to align with key plan features, a broad spectrum of retirement planning and savings advice, and participant engagement. 

Plan Sponsor Survey 2026
Understanding how plan sponsors are adapting plan design, benefits delivery, and employee engagement to support evolving employee needs.
plan sponsor survey 2026
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Risk considerations and disclosures

THESE MATERIALS ARE PROVIDED SOLELY ON THE BASIS THAT THEY WILL NOT CONSTITUTE INVESTMENT ADVICE AND WILL NOT FORM A PRIMARY BASIS FOR ANY PERSON'S OR PLAN'S INVESTMENT DECISIONS, AND GOLDMAN SACHS IS NOT A FIDUCIARY WITH RESPECT TO ANY PERSON OR PLAN BY REASON OF PROVIDING THE MATERIAL OR CONTENT HEREIN. PLAN FIDUCIARIES SHOULD CONSIDER THEIR OWN CIRCUMSTANCES IN ASSESSING ANY POTENTIAL INVESTMENT COURSE OF ACTION.

All inventing involves risk, including loss of principal.

The survey was conducted by Goldman Sachs Asset Management and Escalent between June 27, 2025–July 21, 2025. Views expressed are those of survey respondents.

This material is provided for educational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice or an offer or solicitation to buy or sell securities.

Views and opinions expressed are for informational purposes only and do not constitute a recommendation by Goldman Sachs Asset Management to buy, sell, or hold any security. Views and opinions are current as of the date of this publication and may be subject to change, they should not be construed as investment advice.

Individual portfolio management teams for Goldman Sachs Asset Management may have views and opinions and/or make investment decisions that, in certain instances, may not always be consistent with the views and opinions expressed herein.  

Although certain information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, we do not guarantee its accuracy, completeness or fairness. We have relied upon and assumed without independent verification, the accuracy and completeness of all information available from public sources.

Goldman Sachs does not provide legal, tax or accounting advice to its clients. All investors are strongly urged to consult with their legal, tax, or accounting advisors regarding any potential transactions or investments. There is no assurance that the tax status or treatment of a proposed transaction or investment will continue in the future. Tax treatment or status may be changed by law or government action in the future or on a retroactive basis.

United States: In the United States, this material is offered by and has been approved by Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. and Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, which are registered investment advisers with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Compliance code: 487111-OTU-2454480
Date of first use: January 29, 2026