The ShareBuilder 401k Small Business Retirement Trends Survey measures how US small business owners think about retirement, market and business conditions, and the economy with findings released every two years. The ShareBuilder survey was conducted by independent firm Wakefield Research among 500 owners at companies with 1 to 50 employees, between April 9th and April 16th, 2026, using an email invitation and an online survey.
ShareBuilder 401k clients were not specifically included, though some may have been part of the random sample. More methodology notes included at the bottom of these results.
Key Takeaways
- Small business owners rank inflation, competition from larger businesses, and labor costs as their biggest concerns for the year ahead.
- 70% of small business owners anticipate Artificial Intelligence (AI) will drive job creation for them over the next few years, while only 30% believe it will lead to fewer employees.
- 63% of small business owners find retirement planning more daunting than managing AI in their business.
- Only 29% of small business owners offer a 401(k) plan.
- The biggest reason small businesses are not offering 401(k) benefits is they believe their business is too small to offer a plan. The next biggest reasons are concerns about affording a match and cost to setup and manage a retirement plan.
- 59% of small business owners believe they are saving enough for retirement while 41% are not confident.
Want to learn how ShareBuilder 401k offers low-cost 401(k) plans for small businesses? Connect with our experts today.
The following contains the entirety of The ShareBuilder 401k Small Business Retirement Trends Survey.
Compared to last year, how confident are you that your business will grow this year?
| Business Growth Confidence | % |
|---|---|
| Much more confident | 25% |
| A bit more confident | 44% |
| No change | 15% |
| A bit less confident | 13% |
| Much less confident | 4% |
| More Confident (Net) | 68% |
| Less Confident (Net) | 17% |
Where do you plan to focus your investments for your business this year?
| Investment Focus Area | % |
|---|---|
| Marketing and sales | 58% |
| New products and/or features | 42% |
| AI solutions | 40% |
| Upgrades to equipment or facilities | 38% |
| Hiring additional staff | 32% |
| New or upgraded technology (not including AI) | 28% |
| Expansion or acquisitions | 20% |
| Cybersecurity | 16% |
| None of these | 5% |
Which better reflects the role you see AI playing in your business?
| Role of AI in Business | % |
|---|---|
| Supporting staff, allowing each member to be more productive | 72% |
| Replacing staff, allowing the company to do more with fewer people | 9% |
| I don't see AI playing a role in my business at all | 19% |
| See AI Playing a Role (Net) | 81% |
At what point, if at all, do you anticipate AI will enable you to hire additional employees?
| AI Hiring Impact Timeline | % |
|---|---|
| This has already happened | 12% |
| Within the next 12 months | 37% |
| Within the next 2 years | 16% |
| Within the next 5 years | 4% |
| More than 5 years from now | 2% |
| Never – AI will lead to fewer employees, not more | 30% |
| Not Yet But Within Next 2 Years (Net) | 53% |
| Will Ever Happen (Net) | 70% |
How strongly do you agree or disagree with the following statement? "Even when offering competitive pay and benefits, hiring skilled employees is difficult right now."
| Agreement with Statement | % |
|---|---|
| Strongly agree | 25% |
| Somewhat agree | 51% |
| Somewhat disagree | 16% |
| Strongly disagree | 8% |
| Agree (Net) | 76% |
| Disagree (Net) | 24% |
How concerned are you about the future of your business due to current market volatility?
| Market Volatility Concern | 2026 | 2024 | 2022 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Extremely concerned | 7% | 14% | 16% | 22% |
| Very concerned | 13% | 16% | 22% | 19% |
| Somewhat concerned | 43% | 38% | 37% | 34% |
| Somewhat not concerned | 16% | 12% | 9% | 8% |
| Not very concerned | 13% | 13% | 11% | 12% |
| Not concerned at all | 8% | 7% | 5% | 6% |
| At Least Somewhat Concerned (Net) | 63% | 68% | 75% | 75% |
| Extremely or Very Concerned (Net) | 19% | 30% | 37% | 41% |
What are your biggest concerns for your business in the year ahead?
| Top Business Concerns | % |
|---|---|
| Inflation and other factors influencing costs | 62% |
| Competition from larger businesses | 38% |
| Hiring and retaining the right employees | 33% |
| Cost of labor | 33% |
| Managing supply chain or vendor disruptions | 29% |
| Changes in federal or state regulations and enforcement | 21% |
| Adopting or integrating AI and other technology | 21% |
| Other | 2% |
| I don't have any concerns for the year ahead | 8% |
| Have Concerns (Net) | 92% |
What have you done to counteract the impact of inflation and labor needs over the last year?
| Actions Taken | 2026 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Increased prices | 49% | 50% |
| Used lower cost vendors | 32% | 23% |
| Offered flexible schedules for employees | 27% | 18% |
| Turned to AI for automation | 24% | 16% |
| Increased wages for employees | 23% | 22% |
| Offered better benefits for employees | 15% | 9% |
| Lowered lease costs | 8% | 7% |
| Other | 5% | 5% |
| None of these | 12% | 22% |
| Any (Net) | 88% | 78% |
Which of these do you find more daunting?
| Most Daunting Challenge | % |
|---|---|
| Planning for my retirement | 63% |
| Managing AI in my business | 37% |
Now, thinking about your/the business, which of the following retirement benefits plans do you currently offer?
| Retirement Plan Offered | 2026 | 2024 | 2022 | 2020 | 2017 | 2013 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 401(k) plan | 29% | 24% | 26% | 28% | 32% | 24% |
| Profit-sharing plan | 11% | 11% | 11% | 11% | 17% | 12% |
| Other self-funded plan (SIMPLE or SEP) | 8% | 11% | 9% | 11% | 15% | 14% |
| Pension plan | 7% | 5% | 6% | 8% | 15% | 10% |
| Something else | 5% | 9% | 10% | 6% | 7% | 3% |
| None | 56% | 53% | 53% | 52% | 46% | 56% |
| Offer a Retirement Plan (Net) | 44% | 47% | 47% | 48% | 54% | 45% |
For which of the following reasons, if any, did you choose to offer a 401(k) plan to your employees?
(Among those whose company offers a 401(k) plan)
| Reasons for Offering a 401(k) | 2026 | 2024 | 2022 | 2020 | 2017 | 2013 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I felt it was my responsibility as a business owner | 76% | 69% | 71% | 67% | 61% | 50% |
| To attract or retain employees | 52% | 48% | 47% | 44% | 50% | 41% |
| I wanted to enroll to save for my retirement | 27% | 33% | 21% | 42% | 51% | 39% |
| To receive a tax break | 17% | 19% | 26% | 25% | 35% | 32% |
| Employee demand to offer | 15% | 10% | 18% | 19% | 25% | 19% |
| None of these | 1% | 2% | 3% | 1% | 1% | 5% |
| Any (Net) | 99% | 98% | 97% | 99% | 99% | 95% |
Which of the following benefits, if any, have you or your company experienced from having a 401(k) plan?
(Among those whose company offers a 401(k) plan)
| Benefits Experienced from a 401(k) | 2026 | 2024 | 2022 | 2020 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| My company is able to attract better employees | 47% | 43% | 41% | 52% | 48% |
| My employees are more engaged in their work | 44% | 34% | 32% | 36% | 43% |
| I feel more confident in my retirement plan | 43% | 43% | 41% | 46% | 50% |
| Employee retention has increased | 42% | 39% | 32% | 42% | 50% |
| My company has received tax credits | 33% | 28% | 35% | 33% | 30% |
| My company's annual business taxes have decreased | 28% | 23% | 15% | 25% | 31% |
| My annual personal taxes have decreased | 18% | 16% | 22% | 26% | 35% |
| None of these | 4% | 5% | 8% | 7% | 2% |
| Any (Net) | 96% | 95% | 92% | 93% | 98% |
For which of the following reasons do you not currently offer a 401(k) plan to your employees?
(Among those whose company does not offer a 401(k) plan)
| Reasons for Not Offering a 401(k) | 2026 | 2024 | 2022 | 2020 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| My business is too small to access a plan | 61% | 55% | 58% | 64% | 59% |
| Can't afford to offer a company match | 25% | 28% | 32% | 18% | 22% |
| It's too expensive to set up and manage | 15% | 22% | 24% | 14% | 16% |
| Our business is too uncertain/unstable | 14% | 12% | 14% | 7% | 12% |
| It's too complex or confusing | 12% | 9% | 10% | 8% | 9% |
| Employees are not interested in having one | 12% | 11% | 12% | 12% | 11% |
| I don't want to take on the risks and responsibilities | 11% | 14% | 10% | 12% | 11% |
| Already have another retirement plan in place | 8% | 13% | 10% | 9% | 10% |
| Takes too much time to manage | 8% | 9% | 7% | 6% | 6% |
| Other | 7% | 12% | 10% | 6% | 7% |
What would lead you to reconsider offering a 401(k) plan in the future?
(Among those whose company does not offer a 401(k) plan)
| Factors That Would Drive Reconsideration | 2026 | 2024 | 2022 | 2020 | 2017 | 2013 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Higher revenue | 40% | 31% | 33% | 32% | 26% | 22% |
| Improved profitability | 35% | 23% | 29% | 20% | 19% | 17% |
| Lower cost of plan | 25% | 26% | 26% | 24% | 27% | 24% |
| Tax benefits for owners | 22% | 21% | 28% | 20% | 31% | 26% |
| Increased employee demand for a 401(k) plan | 21% | 8% | 9% | 17% | 14% | 13% |
| Providing good benefits to attract and retain staff | 16% | 10% | 15% | 9% | 10% | 8% |
| Concern for my employees' retirement preparedness | 12% | 7% | 11% | 9% | 9% | 6% |
| Need to save for later years | 11% | 9% | 13% | 9% | 11% | 10% |
| Automation/decreased time for managing the plan | 9% | 6% | 6% | 7% | 7% | 6% |
| Other | 3% | 2% | 4% | 3% | 4% | 4% |
| Nothing | 20% | 37% | 33% | 28% | 30% | 41% |
| Any (Net) | 80% | 63% | 67% | 72% | 70% | 59% |
How confident are you that you are saving enough for retirement?
| Retirement Savings Confidence | 2026 | 2024 | 2022 | 2020 | 2017 | 2013 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Not confident at all | 17% | 17% | 15% | 16% | 16% | 18% |
| Not very confident | 24% | 28% | 23% | 28% | 22% | 16% |
| Somewhat confident | 43% | 39% | 38% | 37% | 38% | 46% |
| Very confident | 16% | 16% | 25% | 18% | 24% | 20% |
| Not Confident (Net) | 41% | 45% | 37% | 44% | 38% | 35% |
| Confident (Net) | 59% | 55% | 63% | 56% | 62% | 65% |
Approximately what percentage of your income, if any, are you currently contributing towards retirement?
| Retirement Contribution Level | 2026 | 2024 | 2022 | 2020 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 1% of my income | 22% | 23% | 21% | 21% | 23% |
| 1–9% | 23% | 17% | 17% | 21% | 24% |
| 10% or more | 36% | 34% | 38% | 36% | 28% |
| I am not currently contributing towards retirement | 19% | 25% | 24% | 22% | 25% |
| Currently Contributing (Net) | 81% | 75% | 76% | 78% | 75% |
| Avg % among those contributing | 10% | 9% | 11% | 9% | 8% |
If you had to guess, in how many years from today will you retire?
| Retirement Timeline | 2026 | 2024 | 2022 | 2020 | 2017 | 2013 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | 5% | 5% | 6% | 5% | 5% | 2% |
| 1–9 years | 9% | 15% | 24% | 22% | 15% | 20% |
| 10–19 years | 20% | 15% | 12% | 20% | 19% | 28% |
| 20 years or more | 29% | 17% | 14% | 14% | 14% | 17% |
| At 65 or younger | 32% | 22% | 25% | 28% | 24% | 26% |
| Over the age of 65 | 32% | 29% | 32% | 32% | 28% | 39% |
| It is unlikely I will ever retire | 36% | 49% | 43% | 39% | 47% | 32% |
| Expect to Retire (Net) | 64% | 51% | 57% | 61% | 53% | 68% |
| Average (Years) | 17 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 |
| Avg Age Among Those Expecting to Retire | 68 | 65 | 65 | 66 | 65 | 67 |
What percentage do you believe is a fair percentage to pay in fund expenses and other investment fees for your 401(k) plan?
| Fair Fee Level for 401(k) Expenses | 2026 | 2024 | 2022 | 2020 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0% | 0% | 1% | 1% | — | — |
| 1% | 4% | 7% | 9% | 10% | 10% |
| 2–4% | 10% | 9% | 10% | 12% | 11% |
| 5–9% | 14% | 11% | 9% | 17% | 23% |
| 10% or more | 31% | 20% | 21% | 19% | 11% |
| Don't know | 41% | 51% | 50% | 41% | 45% |
| Average | 13% | 10% | 10% | 6% | 5% |
How often are your business decisions guided by AI insights?
| AI Guidance Frequency | % |
|---|---|
| All the time | 5% |
| Often | 21% |
| Sometimes | 37% |
| Rarely | 17% |
| Never | 20% |
| At Least Sometimes (Net) | 63% |
| All the Time or Often (Net) | 26% |
How much time do you save each week by using AI to handle routine tasks in your business?
| Weekly Time Saved Using AI | % |
|---|---|
| I don't save any time with AI | 9% |
| Less than 1 hour | 10% |
| 1–4 hours | 35% |
| 5–8 hours | 19% |
| 9–16 hours | 8% |
| More than 16 hours | 4% |
| N/A, I don't use AI in my business | 16% |
| Use AI in the Business (Net) | 84% |
| Save Time with AI (Net) | 75% |
For more information about how 401(k) plans work, click here to speak to a 401(k) expert.
For media inquiries, please contact Patrick Mendoza at mendozap@aristoscomms.com.
Results of any sample are subject to sampling variation. The magnitude of the variation is measurable and is affected by the number of interviews and the level of the percentages expressing the results. For the interviews conducted in this particular study, the chances are 95 in 100 that a survey result does not vary, plus or minus, by more than 4.4 percentage points from the result that would be obtained if interviews had been conducted with all persons in the universe represented by the sample.