2025
Defined Benefit Administration Survey

The 2025 PLANSPONSOR Defined Benefit Administration Survey was fielded from May through July via the Qualtrics survey platform. Data were collected from 15 providers of DB plan administrative services. All data are as of December 31, 2024.

In analyzing our data, we validated any data discrepancies with each provider to ensure the data totals align with the information provided. It is the responsibility of the survey respondent to provide accurate and true data to us for analysis.

This year, we reported on overall DB administration data points, such as clients, participants, plans and assets. We then delved further into DB plan design, with data on plan status, participant counts, accrual methodology and more. Then we reviewed data associated with participants, such as plan design, employee type and actions with de-risking choices.

If you have any questions about the findings published here or would like to participate in the 2026 PLANSPONSOR Defined Benefit Administration Survey, please email surveys@issmediasolutions.com.

—Kimberley Gonzalez-Quiles