Latest Surveys

The PLANSPONSOR Outsourced Investment Manager Survey gives a view of defined contribution retirement plan sponsors’ use of ERISA 3(38) investment managers, the types of plans using these investment fiduciaries, their reasons for using them and factors they look at when selecting one.

Our annual survey of defined contribution (DC) plan sponsors has been the most important industry benchmark, measuring and evaluating DC plan providers according to feedback from their own clients. Major DC plan providers are rated in the various client categories they serve, and benchmark information is collected for plan sponsors...

Partnering with retirement service provider Newport, we’ve surveyed hundreds of employers about their nonqualified deferred compensation plans. Data reveal the current and emerging trends in plan design, funding and administration, plus areas that potentially need improving. Among other findings: sponsors’ satisfaction with their plan’s features and with its ability to...

Like our Recordkeeping Survey on the defined contribution side of the market, the DB Administration Survey showcases providers in the DB market—who the major players are, who they serve, what services they provide. Also included is information on overall market sizing.

As a complement to our Defined Contribution Survey—which measures how satisfied DC clients are with their providers—our annual Recordkeeping Survey gives employers the chance to see exactly which products and services each provider offers, as well as listing information on total assets and overall client demographics. This survey, as opposed...

The DC Plan Benchmarking report gathers data from thousands of defined contribution (DC) plan sponsors about their plan design and administration, providing industry benchmarks. It is a study in contrasts and a demonstration of some surprisingly striking similarities among plans of varying sizes.

The PLANSPONSOR Participant Survey examines the attitudes and behaviors of American workers participating—or not—in an employer-sponsored retirement plan. It gathers data about savings rates, employer expectations and confidence levels, among other measures.

Falling under different regulations, nonqualified deferred compensation plans (NQDC) plans require a different expertise than qualified retirement plans. The NQDC Survey offers a list of providers, ranked by the number of Section 409A and Section 457 plans they serve, as well as by number of experts on staff.

403(b) plans are in many ways the same as traditional corporate 401(k) plans, but they also have many unique challenges. The 403(b) Buyer’s Guide shows the providers who service this market, what they focus on in terms of market segment, and the services they provide to 403(b) plan sponsors.