How to Improve 401(k) Plan Sponsor and Participant Experience

As many American households lack retirement savings, modernizing the 401(k) plan sponsor and participant experience has become crucial, particularly for small to midsize businesses (SMBs). The SECURE 2.0 Act has introduced new regulations that enhance accessibility and broaden eligibility, pushing recordkeepers to streamline operations and reduce the administrative burden on plan sponsors through automation and API integrations. These integrations enable efficient data management by allowing recordkeepers to access payroll data directly, thereby simplifying tasks such as auto-enrollment, compliance, and routine administrative processes. The shift towards API-based systems is essential for recordkeepers to meet rising employer expectations for seamless connectivity and to improve the overall user experience, which is increasingly important for attracting and retaining clients in the competitive retirement services market.