COVID-19’s impact on DC plans may be manageable

COVID-19’s impact on DC plans may be manageable
Market volatility may be biggest factor in producing retirement shortfalls, according to the Employee Benefit Research Institute
APR 22, 2020

The impact of the coronavirus on the future retirement of defined contribution plan participants may be more manageable than previously thought, according to research by Employee Benefit Research Institute.

The Washington-based policy group explored assumptions about future employee and employer behavior in response to the current situation and potential decreases in defined contribution eligibility arising from increased unemployment. It found a $3.68 trillion aggregate retirement-adequacy deficit for all U.S. households ages 35–64 as of January 1, 2020, which represents an increase of only 4.5%, or $166.21 billion. Even a combination of the most pessimistic assumptions increased aggregate retirement deficits by only 11.2%, or $412.77 billion.

The report found that market volatility may be the largest factor in increasing retirement savings shortfalls and decreasing savings surpluses, especially in a worst-case scenario. That permanent termination of defined contribution plans under $10 million in assets, however, could have a large impact for younger investors.

Match suspensions by plan sponsors, contribution suspensions by workers, increases in withdrawals, and decreased eligibility do not have as much impact when spread over all U.S. households, EBRI said.

Latest News

Carson Group adds $1.6B Marietta Wealth Management in Atlanta push
Carson Group adds $1.6B Marietta Wealth Management in Atlanta push

The four-partner Georgia RIA joins the integrated Carson Wealth channel, deepening the $66 billion mega-RIA's Atlanta M&A footprint

Hightower Signature Wealth tops $50B with $9B Altium addition
Hightower Signature Wealth tops $50B with $9B Altium addition

The $9 billion practice’s move into Hightower’s W-2 channel continues a string of internal conversions in a record-pace year for RIA M&A

The Fed paused. Stocks stalled. Underneath, everything moved.
The Fed paused. Stocks stalled. Underneath, everything moved.

Steady rates, cheaper multiples, a record rotation under the surface and a dollar that turned.

Missouri bans advisors from using credential sharing to manage 401(k)s
Missouri bans advisors from using credential sharing to manage 401(k)s

The new rule was adopted despite objections from Stifel and Pontera, adding state weight to Fidelity and Schwab's restrictions on credential sharing.

Farther taps Google and NASA veterans to sharpen wealthtech usability
Farther taps Google and NASA veterans to sharpen wealthtech usability

Kai Conragan and Allan Smith join Farther's product and UX teams as the firm doubles down on advisor-first design.

SPONSORED Built on insurance experience to deliver on long-term promises

Knighthead Life entered the market with a competitive MYGA. A strong launch earned advisor confidence and paved the way for FIAs.

SPONSORED In the Age of AI, Trust Becomes the Advisor's Greatest Asset

As AI makes financial information more accessible than ever, Lana Hock explains why human judgment, trust, and empathy remain the qualities clients value most in a financial advisor