Retirement benefits were available to 72 percent of private industry workers in March 2026

Retirement benefits were available to 72 percent of private industry workers and 92 percent of state and local government workers in March 2026. Fifty-two percent of private industry workers and 81 percent of state and local government workers participated in retirement plans.

Defined contribution plans determine the value of individual accounts based on the amount of money contributed and the rate of return on the money invested. Seventy percent of private industry workers had access to defined contribution plans and 49 percent chose to participate. Among state and local government workers, 39 percent had access to defined contribution plans and 20 percent chose to participate.

Defined benefit plans provide employees with guaranteed retirement benefits based on plan formulas. An employee's retirement age, length of service, and preretirement earnings may affect the benefits received. Fourteen percent of private industry workers had access to defined benefit plans with a participation rate of 9 percent. Among state and local government workers, 86 percent had access to defined benefit plans with a participation rate of 75 percent.

These data are from the Employee Benefits program. For more information, see Employee Benefits in the United States — March 2026. We also have more charts on employee benefits. Some workers have access to and participate in both a defined contribution plan and a defined benefit plan.