2018 DC SURVEY: PLAN BENCHMARKING Participant Education and Advice Not much has changed in a year when it comes to the types of financial education and advice that employers provide-nor in the way such programs are delivered. Offering one-on-one meetings with advisers remains the most popular way to supply financial guidance. What has changed is the sense of responsibility for the well-being of employees. Last year, when asked whether their organization had a " responsibility to improve employee financial wellness, " 41% agreed and 25% disagreed. This year, more than 58% agreed and just 1.8% disagreed-a massive shift. Investment Advice Offerings 46.5% 37.2% 23.8% 4.1% 21.7% One-on-one meetings with adviser Independent third-party services Recordkeeper's proprietary offerings Other source No investment advice Types of Financial Education/Guidance Offered Savings strategies Investing basics Credit/Debt management College saving Home buying Rolling into plan - new hires Rolling out of plan - at separation Do not offer financial education 43.5% 35.8% 17.9% 15.7% 9.0% 27.8% 26.3% 43.1% Organization Has Responsibility to Improve Employee Financial Wellness 58.4% 39.7% Agree Somewhat neutral 1.8% Disagree 48 PLANSPONSOR.com October-November 2018 20.9% Agree Somewhat neutral 1.6% Disagree 20.1% Agree Somewhat neutral Organization Documents Reasoning for Investment Changes 77.6% Disagree Agree Somewhat neutral 13.3% Disagree Organization Prefers Separated Employees Keep Material Balance in Plan 54.0% 25.9% 20.2% Sponsor Sentiment A positive trend this year is that nearly 22% of plan sponsors agree that most of their employees will reach their retirement goals by age 65-up from less than 17% who agreed last year. In terms of keeping material balances in the plan for separated employees, results are comparable to a year ago. Another positive-and significant-shift this year: When asked whether their organization " documents its reasoning for investment changes in the plan, " nearly 78% of plan sponsors agreed that is the case and 1.6% disagreed. By contrast, last year, less than 50% agreed and 30% disagreed. Employees Will Reach Retirement Goals by Age 65 65.0%http://www.plansponsordigital.com/plansponsor/october-november_2018/TrackLink.action?pageName=48&exitLink=http%3A%2F%2FPLANSPONSOR.com