How many 401(k) plans auto-enroll workers?
37.3%of 401(k) plans auto-enroll
305,461 of 819,058 401(k) plans report an automatic enrollment feature. Larger plans use it more: 52.2% of plans with 5,000 or more participants, against 37.0% of plans under 100.
SECURE 2.0 requires most new 401(k) plans started after 2022 to auto-enroll, so the small-plan share should climb as those plans file.
Data as of 2026-11-08. Source: U.S. Department of Labor Form 5500.
| Participants | 401(k) plans | Auto-enroll | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 100 | 729,450 | 270,049 | 37.0% |
| 100 to 499 | 67,703 | 24,665 | 36.4% |
| 500 to 999 | 9,970 | 4,623 | 46.4% |
| 1,000 to 4,999 | 9,220 | 4,708 | 51.1% |
| 5,000 and over | 2,715 | 1,416 | 52.2% |
How we counted
- A plan counts as auto-enroll when its Form 5500 lists plan characteristic code 2S (automatic enrollment).
- Source: PlanOptica analysis of U.S. Department of Labor Form 5500 filings, newest filing of each active plan (plan years 2024 and 2025). Data as of 2026-11-08.
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