How Funds Help Build the American Dream

For many savers, a workplace retirement plan isn’t just helpful—it’s the reason saving happens at all. ICI’s latest national survey on Americans’ views of 401(k) and other defined contribution (DC) plans shows just how central these plans are to household financial security. As the nation marks its 250th anniversary, ICI is reflecting on what it means to be invested in America, and this survey is a reminder that the systems most vital to Americans’ financial security aren’t always the most front of mind. By making retirement saving routine and investing accessible, workplace plans help promote the American Dream and give families a pathway from work to long-term opportunity and financial stability.

Making it easier to save

Nearly half of DC plan account owners said they probably would not save for retirement without a workplace plan. That number is even higher for people in lower-income households. Automatic contributions through payroll deductions are key to making consistent saving possible. 

DC plans also change the way people think about planning for the future. More than 9 in 10 DC account owners surveyed said their plan helps them think about the long term, not just their current needs, and 92% said payroll deduction makes saving easier.

A pathway to opportunity and financial security

For millions of people, workplace plans offer a first experience with long-term investing, helping workers develop confidence in managing their finances over time. DC account owners appreciate the lineup of investment options offered in their plans and benefit from the educational materials provided. 

Regular contributions also help workers deal with market volatility. More than 8 in 10 DC account owners agreed that knowing they save from every paycheck makes them less worried about short-term investment performance. By investing their contributions in funds, Americans gain a diversified ownership stake in the economy—and a way to participate in its long-term growth. 

Americans want to protect what works

The survey results indicate broad public support for preserving DC plans. A strong majority, 87%, oppose eliminating the tax advantages of DC accounts, and large majorities oppose reducing contribution limits. Respondents also value individual control. More than 9 in 10 agree that retirees should be able to make their own decisions about managing retirement assets and income. And about 8 in 10 oppose proposals to invest all retirement accounts through an option selected by a government-appointed board.

This strong support is not limited to people who already have retirement accounts. Even among individuals whose households do not currently own a DC plan account or an individual retirement account (IRA), large majorities oppose eliminating (or reducing) the tax advantages. This breadth of support suggests sustained public confidence in a system that helps workers build long-term financial security.

Survey Methodology

ICI research staff designed the survey, and NORC at the University of Chicago administered the survey using the AmeriSpeak® probability-based panel. The national survey, conducted in November and December 2025, covered a total sample of 2,175 individuals aged 18 or older in the United States. Survey results are weighted to be representative of the total population of Americans aged 18 or older. The overall margin of sampling error for the 2025 sample is ± 2.1 percentage points at the 95% confidence level. Read more at “American Views on Defined Contribution Plan Saving, 2025.”