Retirement plan participants—concerned about their investments—are not finding what they need when they turn to their plan’s websites and apps for help.
According to the J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Retirement Plan Digital Experience Study, released today, overall satisfaction is down 12 points (on a 1,000-point scale) this year as 53% of retirement plan investors are now classified as financially unhealthy, and 63% say they have challenges managing their accounts digitally.
“Retirement investors are under a great deal of financial stress right now and they are looking to their plan’s websites and apps for information and guidance,” said Mike Foy, senior director and head of wealth intelligence at J.D. Power. “Unfortunately, many are not finding what they need and end up having to call customer service for help. This is a moment-of-truth opportunity for plan providers. When they get the digital experience right, they see a very significant lift in the likelihood to grow and retain participant assets long after they have left their current employer.”
Study rankings
Bank of America (including Merrill) and Charles Schwab rank highest in retirement plan digital satisfaction, in a tie, with a score of 704. Prudential Financial ranks third with a score of 696. Rounding out the top five were Fidelity Investments at 690 and T. Rowe Price at 689. The industry average (see chart) was 663.
Last year’s J.D. Power study ranked Charles Schwab highest with a score of 725 while Bank of America was second with a score of 703.
Following are some key findings of the 2022 study:
• Deteriorating financial health sours digital experience: During the past year, the percentage of retirement investors classified as financially healthy has plunged to 47% from 60%, with more than one-fourth (28%) of investors now falling into the financially vulnerable category. Overall satisfaction with retirement plan digital experience has fallen 12 points, in lockstep with the deterioration in financial health.
• Digital experience becomes battleground for customer retention: Strong digital performance is highly correlated with retirement investor asset acquisition and retention. Among top digital performers, 50% of investors say they “definitely will” keep their assets with their current provider in the event of a job change, vs. 17% of investors with low-performing firms. With average job tenure for Millennials2 and members of Gen Z now hovering below three years,3 retaining investors through employment changes has become a top priority for retirement plans.
• Missing the mark on digital account management: Overall customer satisfaction with retirement plan digital experience rises 191 points to 671 when participants can complete tasks by themselves on their plan’s website or mobile app. However, just 37% of investors say they can manage their accounts digitally without contacting customer service.
• Huge upside potential in proactive guidance: Overall customer satisfaction rises 178 points when investors believe the retirement plan websites and apps offer proactive guidance and help, yet just 22% of firms evaluated are meeting this key performance indicator.
The U.S. Retirement Plan Digital Experience Study, formerly known as the U.S. Retirement Plan Participant Satisfaction Study, measures customer satisfaction across four factors: information/content; navigation; speed; and visual appeal. The study is based on responses of 7,069 retirement plan participants and was fielded in May-June 2022.
For more information about the U.S. Retirement Plan Digital Experience Study, visit https://www.jdpower.com/business/financial-services/us-retirement-plan-digital-experience-study.
SEE ALSO:
• Familiar Name Tops J.D. Power Retirement Plan Digital Satisfaction Rankings
• Big Shakeup in J.D. Power’s New Full-Service Investment Firm Rankings
Veteran financial services industry journalist Brian Anderson joined 401(k) Specialist as Managing Editor in January 2019. He has led editorial content for a variety of well-known properties including Insurance Forums, Life Insurance Selling, National Underwriter Life & Health, and Senior Market Advisor. He has always maintained a focus on providing readers with timely, useful information intended to help them build their business.
