Cost Keeps Small Business Owners Nervous About Offering Retirement Plans

Despite the acknowledged importance of retirement savings, the cost of offering a defined contribution plan keeps many small business owners from offering them.

The Employee Benefit Research Institute s (EBRI) most recent Small Employer Retirement Survey reveals that at companies with fewer than 100 workers, only one-third of employees are covered by an employment-based retirement plan, compared to 64% of those at bigger companies. Moreover, only 29% of non-sponsors claim to be at least somewhat likely to start programs in the next two years, down from 32% the year before.