Future-Income Focus May Boost Current DC Plan Savings

Planning for retirement has historically been focused on saving as much as possible. But if the actual target is to secure income for life, we think giving participants a preview of the future income they’re building can encourage even better savings habits now.

Saving for retirement is a long-standing goal of American workers, but the focus of defined contribution (DC) plan participants is increasingly shifting from how much they can save to how much income they can secure. Encouraging participation and offering matches and sound investment options is a solid foundation, but plan sponsors should also bring retirement income to life for participants.

Visualizing Future Income Now Can Help Avoid Shortfalls Later

Retirement goals can seem distant, so many participants need assurances that they’re on the right path to retire on their own terms…without worry. And translating participants’ current savings into expected retirement income down the road makes it more tangible and relevant.

Besides encouraging better savings behavior, retirement-income visualizations can help participants avoid potential shortfalls, particularly if an ill-timed market downturn happens near or in retirement. But the translation must be as trustworthy as it is transparent. That’s why a guaranteed income stream—like one offered through annuities—that starts building long before retirement can provide the foundation for this income “preview.”

Acknowledging the growing need for better insights into future income, the SECURE Act of 2019 established a lifetime income-disclosure mandate for plan sponsors. Proponents argued that participants need to know (and plan for) their future retirement income—and that DC plans must regularly provide a road map. And while the disclosure is somewhat basic, it still raises much-needed awareness of how far (or short) their retirement savings will go.

Income Awareness Has Been Linked to Higher Participation…and Savings

New disclosure requirements may mean more work for sponsors and their service providers, but the well-documented advantages of fostering an income mindset seem worth the effort, in our view.