2025
PLANADVISER Adviser Value Survey

The 2025 PLANADVISER Adviser Value Survey reveals that plan sponsors and participants benefit when an adviser is involved.

Respondent Profile

Survey Data: Respondent Profile

Respondent Profile

Types of Defined Contribution Plan(s) Offered
401(k)87.8%
403(b)4.9%
45715.9%
Length of Time Working With Current Adviser or Advisory Team
Less than 1 year1.2%
1 – 3 years14.6%
3 – 5 years12.2%
5 – 7 years17.1%
More than 7 years54.9%
Rating of the Overall Service Received From Adviser or Advisory Team
Excellent (consistently exceeds expectations)66.2%
Good (consistently meets expectations)21.5%
Satisfactory (usually meets expectations, sometimes does not)9.2%
Poor (consistently falls below expectations)3.1%
Adviser Fiduciary Status Served in Relation to the Plan*
3(38) investment manager (has discretion over investments)28.2%
3(21) investment adviser (provides advice about investments, but sponsor retains decision)59.0%
Not a fiduciary2.6%
Unsure10.3%
Quantity of Assets in the Designated DC Plan
With adviserWithout adviser*
Less than $1 million3.7%16.5%
$1 million - $5 million10.3%23.9%
>$5 million - $10 million9.9%10.8%
>$10 million - $25 million19.6%13.1%
>$25 million - $50 million13.3%6.8%
>$50 million - $100 million9.5%8.5%
>$100 million - $200 million8.7%6.3%
>$200 million - $500 million9.8%3.4%
>$500 million - $1 billion4.8%1.7%
More than $1 billion10.4%9.1%
Participants in the Designated DC plan
With adviser*Without adviser*
Less than 5012.9%37.6%
50 - 9911.2%14.1%
100 - 49930.2%22.9%
500 - 99910.6%5.3%
1,000 - 4,99921.4%8.2%
5,000 - 9,9994.9%3.5%
10,000 - 19,9993.8%3.5%
More than 20,0004.9%4.7%

Footnote:
*Numbers do not add up to 100% due to rounding errors

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