2022
DC Plan Benchmarking Survey

By studying trends in DC plan design and usage, sponsors can benchmark and improve their own plans.

2022 Survey

2022 Survey

Contributions

Employer contributions that do not require participant deferrals are offered by about half of DC plans. Unlike matching contributions, which are only given to participants actively deferring into the DC plan, nonelective and profit-sharing contributions are allocated to all employees. The most popular contribution structure is a “pro-rata” profit sharing plan in which each participant receives an allocation equal to a uniform percentage of his or her compensation. One-quarter of plans are using safe harbor contributions, which allow them to provide employees with a minimum saving amount and not have to go through annual discrimination testing.

Offer a Non-Elective or Profit-Sharing Contributions

  • Yes
  • No
  • Unsure

Profit-Sharing / Non-Matching Structure

"Pro-Rata" Profit Sharing Plan
37%
Non-elective Safe Harbor Contribution
25%
"New Comparability" Profit Sharing Plan
14%
"Fixed Dollar" Profit Sharing Plan
3%
"Age weighted" Profit Sharing Plan
2%
Other
10%
Unsure
9%

Profit-Sharing / Non-Matching Contribution Rates

Less than 3%
21%
Exactly 3%
19%
>3% – 5%
22%
>5% – 7%
9%
>7% – 10%
9%
More than 10%
6%
Other
14%

Offer Matching Contribution

Yes
74%
No
24%
Unsure
2%

PLANSPONSOR 2023 Industry Reports

2023 Industry Reports feature proprietary data collected by PLANSPONSOR in its annual Defined Contribution Survey. The reports highlight various plan design features and outcomes from approximately 50 industries.

You can leverage the PLANSPONSOR Industry Reports* to: 
  • Build trust with advisers and provide new tools to your staff and network
  • 99+ pages in PDF format
  • Compare plan design with peers and competitors, and improve fiduciary oversight
  • Add value to your clients by posting on your website behind registration

*Subject to usage terms/compliance in licensing agreement.

Availability: December 2022
Contact Rob Reif / 212-217-6906 / robert.reif@issmediasolutions.com