study

In this study, public-sector defined-contribution (DC) plan participant savings behaviors are analyzed. Specifically, balances, contributions, loan usage, and asset allocation by participants’ age and tenure are examined. Key findings include:  Early-career balances remain very low Early career savers may be under-invested long before they approach retirement - focused outreach and default design are critical. Contribution rates increase with age, but many persist at modest levels Administrators should emphasize contribution rate strategies (e.g., auto-escalation, default deferral nudges) and mid-career messaging to bolster savings. Loan usage peaks in mid-career and can erode long-term outcomes Plan administrators should monitor and communicate the long-term cost of loans, and explore policy levers and education to reduce detrimental borrowing. Asset allocation shifts with age: heavy target-date use early, more stable value later Ensure the investment lineup (glide-path, default options, stable value/stable income options) aligns with participant behavior and lifecycle needs; clear communication around risk and time horizon is vital.

This Fast Fact explores how public-sector defined contribution (DC) plan participants allocate their investments. Using data from 2.3 million participants with $148 billion in assets, the report compares participants who invest in only one type of fund with those who diversify across multiple types—offering insight into age and plan-type trends.

The latest PRRL Fast Fact provides a detailed breakdown of asset allocation among public-sector DC plan participants, using data from year-end 2022. The analysis examines investment trends across 27 asset classes, highlighting differences by plan type, age, and tenure. Key findings include the continued dominance of large-cap domestic equity, the widespread use of target-date funds among younger participants, and the increasing allocation to stable-value funds as participants age.

This Fast Fact examines the utilization of stable-value funds among public-sector DC plan participants, expanding on findings from PRRL’s 2024 The State of Public-Sector DC Plans report. The analysis reveals how age and tenure influence stable-value fund allocation, with older participants and those with longer tenures investing more heavily in these funds.

In this study, public-sector defined contribution (DC) plan participant savings behaviors are analyzed. Specifically, balances, contributions, loan usage, and asset allocation by participants’ age and tenure are examined.

Explore the comprehensive analysis of public-sector retirement savings with PRRL's latest study. This study tracks the retirement plan behaviors of 1.1 million participants over a three-year period, offering key insights into account balance growth, contribution trends, asset allocation, and more.

Industry Report based on 2021 data. This is a summary report outlining the overall, aggregated operating and profile characteristics of the plans whose data was provided by EBRI for this project. It contains a How to Use section, as well as an Executive Summary, Infographics and Detailed Results Tables.

This Fast Fact examines SECURE 2.0 changes to the low-balance distribution limit by age and tenure. Under current provisions, retirement plans are permitted to force out participants with vested account balances up to and including $5,000.00 The SECURE 2.0 Act increases the dollar limit for mandatory force outs to $7,000.00 for distributions after December 31, 2023. This Fast Fact analysis draws on cross-sectional data from the PRRL database to gain insight into the number of additional accounts that could potentially be impacted by this change.