2021
Recordkeeping Survey

Industry Snapshot

Industry Snapshot

Recordkeeping Industry Snapshot

The annual PLANSPONSOR Recordkeeping Survey is compiled from self-reported data submitted by recordkeepers of defined contribution (DC) plans. This year’s results represent nearly $9 trillion in DC assets and are estimated to account for over 90% of the total DC market, according to internal analysis based on the “2021 Investment Company [Institute] Fact Book.” Unless otherwise noted, all data reported are as of December 31, 2020. On these pages, we present a subset of the data, both in aggregate and by each of four common plan types. More findings from the survey can be found online at plansponsor.com/research; free registration is required. For information on licensing the supporting data or to learn how to participate in our 2022 Recordkeeping Survey, please email surveys@issmediasolutions.com.

Total Defined Contribution (DC) Plan Assets, by Plan Types

401(k)__  403(b)__  457 __  Money purchase/profit sharing __  Nonqualified deferred compensation__  Other

$10T

$9.50T

$8T

$7.12T

$6.11T

$6.08T

$6T

$4.60T

$4T

$2T

$0

2013

2015

2017

2019

2021

$10T

$9.50T

$8T

$7.12T

$6.11T

$6.08T

$6T

$4.60T

$4T

$2T

$0

2013

2015

2017

2019

2021

$10T

$9.50T

$8T

$7.12T

$6.11T

$6.08T

$6T

$4.60T

$4T

$2T

$0

2013

2015

2017

2019

2021

$10

$9.50T

$8

$7.12T

$6.11T

$6.08T

$6

$4.60T

$4

$2

$0

2013

2015

2017

2019

2021

Total Defined Contribution (DC) Plan Assets, by Plan Types, 2021

401(k)
$6.80T
403(b)
$1.26T
457
$498B
Money purchase/ profit sharing
$338B
Nonqualified deferred compensation
$183B
Other
$343B
Source: PLANSPONSOR Recordkeeping Survey

Plan Tenure with the Provider

  • <1 year
  • 1 – 3 years
  • >3 years
Source: PLANSPONSOR Defined Contribution (DC) Survey

Total Number of DC Plans, by Participants

<10 participants
403,070
10 – 50 participants
284,059
>50 – 100 participants
68,480
>100 – 500 participants
66,201
>500 participants
23,712

49%

86,000

of recordkeepers offering multiple service models

plans won

in competitive

bid situations

49%

86,000

of recordkeepers offering multiple service models

plans won

in competitive

bid situations

49%

86,000

of recordkeepers offering multiple service models

plans won

in competitive

bid situations

49%

86,000

of recordkeepers offering multiple service models

plans won

in competitive

bid situations