SERIES

2026 Plan Sponsor Attitudes Survey

Supporting plan sponsors by simplifying complexity helps meet their participants' outcome goals. In its 17th year, the Plan Sponsor Attitudes Survey highlights the themes that are redefining how advisors adapt their business strategy to focus on long-term objectives and meet evolving client needs.

2026 Plan Sponsor Attitudes Survey by the numbers

>50% of sponsors

say the pace of change for investment products is speeding up

50% of sponsors

say the evolution of retirement plans is exhausting and causes burnout

44% of sponsors

set goals lower than Fidelity's suggested target

HIGHLIGHT 1

Seeing through the sponsor lens

93% of plans work with an advisor. The use of a plan advisor remains high, with improved participant outcomes and engagement ranking as a top value—why they began using an advisor was aligned with what they value most from their advisor.

“We actually chose our advisor after sitting through a few presentations and seeing who could explain things in plain English instead of throwing industry jargon at us.”

Owner/Executive (Non-Finance), $50M–$75M plan

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About the survey

The 17th edition of our proprietary study uncovers opportunities with plan sponsors across the nation.

2026 survey
Independent survey conducted by a third-party research firm.
1,311
Responses from wide-range of retirement plan decision-makers.
Recordkeeper agnostic
Responses captured across multiple recordkeepers, not just Fidelity.
$3M in assets
We surveyed plans with at least 25 participants and at least $3 million in assets, from start-ups to plans with more than $250 million in assets.
Emphasis on the role of advisors and consultants
Exploring how plan sponsors work with financial advisors and plan consultants.
Current trends
The survey reveals current trends to help advisors adapt their business strategy to meet current and future client demands.

Get your personalized survey review

Contact your Fidelity representative today to review the comprehensive insights from our latest Plan Sponsor Attitudes Survey and how they may apply to your business.

2025 Plan Sponsor Attitudes Survey

To review last year's survey results, check out these highlights:

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2025 Plan Sponsor Attitudes Survey: Highlight 1

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Plan Sponsor Attitudes 2025 Highlight 2

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Plan Sponsor Attitudes 2025 Highlight 3

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Plan Sponsor Attitudes 2025 Highlight 4

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Plan Sponsor Attitudes 2025 Highlight 5

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Survey summary: Harris Insights and Analytics, an independent market research company, conducted an online survey of 1,311 plan sponsors on behalf of Fidelity. Fidelity Investments was not identified as the survey sponsor. The survey was conducted during the first quarter of 2026. Respondents were identified as the primary person responsible for managing their organization’s 401(k) plan. All plan sponsors confirmed their plans had at least 25 participants and at least $3 million in plan assets. Though the survey is broad in scope, the experiences of the plan sponsors participating in the survey may not be representative of all plan sponsors.

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