Inside the Minds of Plan Participants: Real Attitudes. Real Decisions. Pathways to Improve Retirement Outcomes.

AB's latest participant survey highlights a growing disconnect between employee confidence and actual retirement readiness. While many express optimism about their financial future, their savings behaviors often fall short of what's needed. This suggests advisors need to actively bridge this gap with more tailored guidance.

The research, conducted in May 2026, surveyed 1,002 U.S. DC plan participants, including 202 retirees. It probes evolving participant mindsets, now including AI and private markets. The findings raise questions about how to better align participant expectations with the realities of funding retirement.