The scale of the U.S. retirement market continues to expand. According to the Investment Company Institute, total U.S. retirement assets reached $51.2 trillion as of June 30, 2026, representing a 7.9% increase from the previous quarter. Retirement assets accounted for approximately 33% of all household financial assets in the United States.

Employer-based defined contribution plans represent a significant part of that market. These plans held $15.0 trillion at the end of the second quarter, including $10.8 trillion in 401(k) assets. The broader defined contribution market also included $1.6 trillion in 403(b) plans and $585 billion in 457 plans.

These numbers demonstrate how central employer-sponsored retirement plans have become to long-term household wealth. As the amount of assets held within these plans grows, the structure and administration of the plans supporting those assets become increasingly important.

For plan sponsors, this means retirement plan design needs to account for more than contribution limits or investment options. Employers have different workforce demographics, compensation structures, business objectives, and administrative resources. A plan that works for one organization may not be appropriate for another.

The same consideration applies to advisors. As retirement plans become an increasingly important part of clients’ financial strategies, advisors need the ability to support different plan structures while maintaining an effective participant and employer experience.

RetireBetter provides customized retirement solutions across 401(k), 403(b), 457(b), and Cash Balance plans, supported by professional service and plan administration. Its 401(k) platform is designed around each client’s business rather than an off-the-shelf structure, while its 403(b) solutions serve both ERISA and non-ERISA nonprofit organizations. Its 457(b) plans support government agencies, nonprofits, and qualified government contractors.

For business owners seeking to increase retirement savings beyond traditional 401(k) limits, RetireBetter’s Cash Balance plans use actuarial expertise to develop customized funding methodologies while providing potential tax advantages. Its Plan Administration service can also reduce the daily administrative burden through 3(16) fiduciary or non-fiduciary administration.

As retirement assets continue to grow, the infrastructure supporting those assets matters just as much as the size of the market itself. Thoughtful plan design and effective administration can help employers build retirement programs that are aligned with both their business objectives and the needs of their workforce.