2026
Recordkeeping Survey
As employers adopt pooled employer plans and as plans become more than just savings vehicles for retirement, the recordkeeper service model is evolving.
Industry Snapshot
401(k) Plans*
While the number of participants served and the amount of retirement plan assets recordkept in the 401(k) market have grown since last year’s PLANSPONSOR Recordkeeping Survey, the number of plans has dropped. This indicates both a change to the plan marketplace and a change to how recordkeeper growth is measured—changes resulting from the proliferation of pooled employer plans. PEPs have proven to be a popular plan vehicle for existing sponsors, rather than only for small or startup plans, according to the SPARK Institute’s executive director, Tim Rouse. While a PEP may be adopted by many employers, it is still one plan, meaning growth is best measured in terms of assets, participants and adopting employers, rather than plans.—Rebecca Moore
*2024 – 2026 totals represent findings for single, pooled employer and multiple employer 401(k)s
Total assets
Total plans
Total participants
733,772
88,709,983
$9.8T
Total assets
Total plans
Total participants
733,772
88,709,983
$9.8T
Total assets
Total plans
Total participants
733,772
88,709,983
$9.8T
Total assets
Total plans
Total participants
733,772
88,709,983
$9.8T
