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
Multiple Employer Plans*
The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act of 2019 addressed two hurdles to the adoption of multiple employer plans by many employers. It created PEPs, which did not require the common nexus among employers that MEPs required. It also modified the “one bad apple” rule, which dictated that if a single employer in a MEP violated IRS tax qualification rules, the entire plan could be disqualified, penalizing all adopting employers. A MEP can now isolate the penalty to the noncompliant employer. This encourages greater adoption, and the 2026 PLANSPONSOR Recordkeeping Survey shows growth across plans, assets, participants and adopting employers.—Rebecca Moore
*Combines 401(k) and 403(b) plans
Total
assets
Total
MEPs
Total
participants
Total adopting employers
$159B
1,420
2,330,314
56,010
Total
assets
Total
MEPs
Total
participants
Total adopting employers
$159B
1,420
2,330,314
56,010
Total
assets
Total
MEPs
Total
participants
Total adopting employers
$159B
1,420
2,330,314
56,010
Total
assets
Total
MEPs
Total
participants
Total adopting employers
$159B
1,420
2,330,314
56,010
