J.P. Morgan Asset Management released its 2026 Defined Contribution (DC) Plan Participant Survey Findings that provide a deeper understanding of how people view their retirement plans and overall financial picture.
What they’re saying: “This ongoing research is important for retirement planning conversations because it captures direct feedback from participants at every stage of the retirement journey,” said Alyson Frost, Head of Retirement Insights at J.P. Morgan Asset Management.
- “Workplace plans matter to participants, and many still do not feel confident making the right decision on their own. They want retirement decision-making to be made simpler, and they welcome support from their plans in turning savings into retirement income.”
By the Numbers:
- 53 percent of participants do not know how much they need to save to retire securely.
- Higher prices have led participants to reduce spending on travel (43 percent), entertainment (41 percent) and food (41 percent), while 11 percent reduced or stopped contributions to their retirement plans.
- 76 percent of participants are concerned about creating a steady stream of retirement income that will last the rest of their lives.
- 81 percent of Gen Z participants agree their employer should help them with how much to contribute, compared to 51 percent of Boomers.
- 45 percent of participants who take a loan against their plan do so to cover unexpected expenses or credit card debt.
- 59 percent think they should be saving more for retirement. This compares with 63 percent of retirees who wished they had saved more for retirement.
