Is Pension Coverage a Problem in the Private Sector?

Publication Date: April 2014

Publisher: Center for Retirement Research at Boston College

Author(s): Alicia H. Munnell; Dina Bleckman

Research Area: Labor

Type: Report

Coverage: United States

Abstract:

The brief’s key findings are:

Commentators question whether pension coverage is a serious problem, indicating that 80 percent have access to a plan.

But this number refers to access – not participation – and to full-time workers in both the public and private sectors.

A review of four household surveys and one employer survey finds that only about half of all private workers (age 25-64) are participating in a plan.

So, yes, coverage remains a serious problem.