2026
PLANSPONSOR / Newport NQDC Plan Trends Survey

PLANSPONSOR and Newport collaborated for the fourth time in 2026 to collect and analyze data from organizations that sponsor NQDC plans.

The survey was jointly developed and conducted by PLANSPONSOR and Newport. It was refined based on current best practices in plan design, investment options, communication strategies and funding methods. The survey findings are split between two sections: Plan Design and Trend Watch. Within Plan Design, we asked plan sponsors to report on NQDC plan offerings, eligibility, contributions that their organization provides, vesting schedules, etc. Trend Watch focuses on advisory services offered to participants, satisfaction with various aspects of their plan, communication offerings and technological improvements to those communications. Data collection was performed by PLANSPONSOR and included responses from 203 unique companies and organizations.

Data were analyzed by PLANSPONSOR and Newport for consistency. All company-submitted data are kept strictly confidential, and only aggregate results are reported so as not to disclose any individually reported information.

If you have any questions about the findings presented here, please reach out to the Surveys team via surveys@issmediasolutions.com

—Kimberley Gonzalez-Quiles

For full research findings with commentary from Newport, visit this site.