2025 Defined Contribution Landscape Survey

Defined Contribution (DC) plan sponsors play a significant role in shaping the retirement outcomes of American workers. With the continued decline in defined pension benefits, workers are increasingly dependent on the defined contribution system for a significant portion of their retirement savings. As this shift continues, so does the need for the DC system to evolve.

Our third bi-annual survey explores DC plan sponsors’ visions and progress towards realizing ​better outcomes for plan participants. Greenwald Associates polled 302 retirement plan decision-makers online in September and October of 2024. Respondents included decision-makers for DC plans with at least $10 million in assets. The findings were weighted by plan asset size, using data from a BrightScope/ICI 2021 report.

Our survey findings will be published in a four-part series.

PART 1

Improving retirement outcomes in defined contribution plans through personalization

PART 2

Better investments, better retirement outcomes

PART 3

Helping participants achieve retirement success

PART 4

Effecting positive change for dc participants