Employers report being more satisfied with their retirement plan after joining a pooled employer plan (PEP), and notably expressed a 40% increase in satisfaction with the retirement plan’s advisor after joining a PEP, according to new independent research sponsored by The Standard.
“The results validated our belief—PEPs create value for employers and their advisors above that of standalone plans.”
The Standard’s Steve Chappell
Results from a 2025 survey released today found 83% of employers expressed satisfaction with their PEP experience, with a 26% increase in satisfaction after joining the PEP. The top two reasons cited for improved PEP satisfaction were ease of plan management and cost savings.
“PEPs have been in the marketplace for a few years, so the time was right to ask employers about their experience with this solution,” said Steve Chappell, vice president of distribution in Retirement Plans at The Standard. “The independent research team surveyed employers from across industries who use a variety of providers. The results validated our belief—PEPs create value for employers and their advisors above that of standalone plans.”
In the study, employers indicated they lean on advisors for information about PEPs and how to find the right Pooled Plan Provider. Four out of five PEP employers said they considered multiple providers before joining a PEP. Sixty-eight percent of employers with a PEP said they learned about PEPs at a conference or HR event, and 58% of employers they said considered the plan because their advisor recommended it.
In March 2025, The Standard announced that it reached $2 billion in PEP assets under management.
“Our advisors trust our PEP solution to help their clients focus on their most important tasks while providing the fiduciary management and administrative outsourcing they need for their retirement plan,” Chappell said.
The Standard’s PEP solution may be privately labeled by plan advisors, which can provide relief for plan sponsor clients who are tasked with plan administration and fiduciary responsibilities.
The company has a long history of designing and administering investment options for a variety of plans—401(k), profit sharing, money purchase, 403(b), MEP/PEP, 457 and defined benefit. Clients include corporations, government agencies and nonprofit organizations in a wide range of industries.
This research was based on the results of an online survey of 300 employee benefits decision-makers at mid-sized U.S. companies. Survey responses were collected by Burke, Inc., from Jan. 3, 2025, through Jan. 26, 2025, in compliance with the ISO 20252 standard for market, opinion and social research by Burke, Inc.
Learn more about the new research here.
SEE ALSO:
• The Standard Tops $2B in PEP Assets
• The Standard Welcomes PEP Sales Director
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.