A retirement plan’s website or mobile app may be more than a convenient way to check an account balance. According to the J.D. Power 2026 U.S. Retirement Plan Digital Experience Study, satisfaction with the digital experience is associated with how employees view their employer and whether they consolidate and keep assets with their plan provider, even after changing jobs.
Employees who had downloaded their plan’s mobile app were 79% more likely to roll over assets from another provider than those who had not. Among employees reporting the highest levels of satisfaction with their plan’s app, 49% said they had a much more favorable view of their employer after using their retirement account, 50% had rolled over money from other retirement accounts, and 60% said they would leave their assets with their provider after changing jobs.
Apps Outscore Websites
Mobile apps also outperformed plan websites, earning an average satisfaction score of 724 on a 1,000-point scale, 53 points higher than the website average of 671. Participants gave apps stronger marks for speed, visual appeal, information, layout, and personalization.
The study suggests a well-designed digital experience can support engagement and may help providers retain and attract assets. Sponsors may want to ask their recordkeeper how participants are using the plan’s website and app, and whether those tools are promoted in enrollment and onboarding materials.
Source: https://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/2026-u-s-retirement-plan-digital-experience-study/
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