NEW YORK -- About 77% of large and midsized defined contribution plans offer investment education to their employees. Of those, 34% have created additional communications other than investment education for plan participants in recent months, according to a survey by William M. Mercer.
Plan sponsors consider the rate of participation and level of employee contributions when determining the success rate of an education campaign.
In response to stock market volatility, 34% of sponsors have created additional communications, while 13% are considering doing so, the survey stated.
In addition, 18% have altered their investment education materials, with 10% considering changes. Meanwhile, 43% have not made any changes and do not plan to do so.
Despite market corrections, the study indicated that six out of 10 plan sponsors saw little or no change in employees' asset allocations over the final months of 1998. About 38% reported moderate reallocation activity, and only 2% said there was considerable activity.
