Fidelity Investments® Releases Second Annual Workplace Outlook Report

BOSTON, APRIL 9, 2026 – As one of the nation’s largest workplace benefit providers, Fidelity Investments® has released the 2026 Fidelity Workplace Outlook report, offering 11 data-informed insights to help talent and benefits leaders across the country create a benefits plan strategy supporting both employee well-being and overall employer outcomes.

In an era of evolving workplace dynamics, plan sponsors require clear insight into how employees engage with benefits and what design choices can drive better outcomes for their workers - all while keeping budgetary concerns in mind. Faced with external factors such as market uncertianty, rising costs, legistlative and regulatory changes, and the diverse needs of a multi-generational workforce, the report examines how employers can support the many facets of an employee's financial journey. Beyond retirement, this includes supporting employees with emergency savings, healthcare savings, and educating employees to become more engaged with their total rewards options. 

Fidelity’s latest report unveils a myriad of considerations for employers looking to create or enhance their employee benefits plan. The 11 themes explored in the report include:  

• A shifting focus to drive deeper engagement.
• A move to strategically maximize employer match contributions.
• Leveraging retirement plans to help cover emergency expenses.
• The impact of SECURE2.0 on using retirement savings for short-term expenses.
• Increasing interest in retirement income solutions as fully one quarter of the workforce approaches retirement.
• Investment menus shifting in response to economic uncertainty and the desire for greater personalization.
• Target date funds as the preferred investment choice among savers.
• The rise in collective investment trusts among plan sponsors seeking to reduce costs for participants.
• Managed accounts as a valuable savings vehicle. 
• The move among defined benefit plan sponsors to consolidate providers and outsource investment management. 
• Adopting a holistic benefits approach to integrate all benefits through a single provider. 

“In today’s complex environment, employers need reliable data and expert insights to make informed benefits decisions,” said Jason Jagatic, vice president, Global and Workplace Thought Leadership. “Plan sponsors have various considerations when it comes to building a holistic approach to support the financial well-being of their employees – ultimately building their confidence, resilience, and long-term security.”

The report brings together insights from more than 25 million active Fidelity plan participants and more than 28,000 employer relationships and combines it with insights from Fidelity experts in asset management, behavioral science, benefits trends and more, to equip plan sponsors, advisors, and consultants with the insights they need to deliver competitive, high-quality plans to today’s workforce.

To view the full report, go here. 

About Fidelity Investments

Fidelity’s goal is to strengthen the financial well-being of our customers and deliver better outcomes for the clients and businesses we serve. Fidelity’s strength comes from the scale of our diversified, market-leading financial services businesses that serve individuals, families, employers, wealth management firms, and institutions. With assets under administration of $18.0 trillion, including managed assets of $7.1 trillion as of December 31, 2025, we focus on meeting the unique needs of a broad and growing customer base. Privately held for 79 years, Fidelity employs more than 80,000 associates across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. For more information about Fidelity Investments, visit https://www.fidelity.com/about-fidelity/our-company.

Fidelity Investments and Fidelity are registered service marks of FMR LLC. 

Keep in mind that investing involves risk. The value of your investment will fluctuate over time, and you may gain or lose money.

Fidelity does not provide legal or tax advice. The information herein is general in nature and should not be considered legal or tax advice. Consult an attorney or tax professional regarding your specific situation.

Views expressed are as of the date indicated, based on the information available at that time, and may change based on market or other conditions. Unless otherwise noted, the opinions provided are those of the speaker or author and not necessarily those of Fidelity Investments or its affiliates. Fidelity does not assume any duty to update any of the information.

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