American workers are officially exhausted by the “do-it-yourself” retirement experiment. They're asking financial advisers to take the wheel.
According to new data from J.P. Morgan Asset Management’s 2026 Defined Contribution Plan Participant Survey, 73% of savers said they wish they could hit an “easy button” and fully delegate their wealth management. That's up from 55% in 2016.
Key Takeaways
- With 73% of people wanting to outsource retirement planning, advisors have a massive opportunity to offer comprehensive, done-for-you wealth management.
- Hitting a specific savings number is no longer the goal (53% don't know theirs); instead, 91% want guaranteed in-plan income.
- With 86% of Gen Z expecting employer help with savings (vs. 61% of Boomers), advisors can capture this group early through integrated financial wellness programs.
This sharp jump signals a massive behavioral shift in the defined contribution space. Plan participants want a comprehensive, done-for-you wealth management product.
"Workplace plans matter to participants, and many still do not feel confident making the right decision on their own. They want retirement decision-making made simpler, and they welcome support from their plans in turning savings into retirement income”, said Alyson Frost, head of retirement insights at J.P. Morgan Asset Management.
The Decumulation Puzzle
According to the survey, the days of advisers helping participants reach a magic number are gone, with 53% of survey respondents admitting they have no idea what their target savings number is.
An overwhelming number of respondents (91%) said they are actively looking for in-plan guaranteed retirement income solutions. They are shifting their focus from pure asset growth to the security of a reliable, done-for-you retirement paycheck.
Participants also shared in the survey fear of a lack of strength in traditional safety nets like social security. 35% of respondents said they don’t believe that income will be enough to cover routine expenses in their golden years.
Further, plan leakage remains a critical concern for participants. Nearly 45% of respondents who have taken a loan did so to cover unexpected expenses or substantial credit card debt.
This means there is an opportunity for advisers to serve not just as investment managers, but financial architects who help clients build robust emergency savings, in addition to long-term growth.
Generational Differences
This year, the survey expanded. It went further than before in examining generational differences in participant behaviors and what they desire from an employer plan.
While only 61% of Boomers felt their employers bore responsibility for helping them save, a massive 86% of Gen Z respondents expect comprehensive retirement guidance as a standard benefit. This creates an opportunity for advisors who partner with plan sponsors to deliver integrated financial wellness programs to these younger clients, establishing trust and earning their business at the start of their careers, long before they reach retirement age.
A message from Advisor Perspectives and VettaFi: To learn more about this and other topics, check out some of our videos.
Read more commentaries by VettaFi | Advisor Perspectives
