Overview
As of June 30, 2025, Americans held $9.3 trillion in 401(k) plans across more than 715,000 plans, serving approximately 70 million active participants and millions of retirees. Savings rolled over from 401(k)s and other employer-sponsored retirement plans also account for about half of the $18 trillion held in individual retirement account (IRA) assets as of June 30, 2025. Also, part of the intro text is duplicated under the overview text section, so you can delete the last paragraph of the overview (the following text): This resource center provides the fund industry's perspective on developments that affect 401(k) plans and their investors, including ICI's research and analysis of the 401(k) plan market and participant activity, as well as our advocacy for cost-effective 401(k) planning tools, services, and disclosure.
ICI Contacts
News and Publications
ICI Applauds DOL Action On Including Alternatives In 401(k) Plans
Washington, DC; August 12, 2025—Today, Investment Company Institute (ICI) President and CEO Eric J. Pan released the following statement regarding the Department of Labor’s (DOL) announcement today that the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) has rescinded a December 2021 supplemental statement that discouraged fiduciaries from considering alternative assets in 401(k) investment lineups. “ICI welcomes the Department of Labor’s announcement today rescinding a 2021 supplemental statement which had chilled the adoption of alternative assets in retirement plans. The decision marks a...
ICI Applauds Executive Order To Increase Access to Private Markets for Everyday Americans
Washington, DC; August 7, 2025— Today, Investment Company Institute (ICI) President and CEO Eric J. Pan released the following statement regarding President Trump’s executive order encouraging increased access to private market investments for American retirement investors. “ICI supports giving Americans the opportunity to access private markets through fund vehicles in their retirement plan accounts just as millions of Americans already benefit from private market investments through institutional pension funds. Retirement savers are the ultimate long-term investors and would benefit from the...
Mutual Fund Expense Ratios Remain at Historic Lows for Retirement Savers
Washington, DC; July 16, 2025—Investment Company Institute (ICI) research released today finds that retirement savers in 401(k) plans saw average mutual fund expense ratios at historic lows for another year. The ICI’s new report, “ The Economics of Providing 401(k) Plans: Services, Fees, and Expenses, 2024,” reveals a vibrant and competitive 401(k) plan market for mutual funds, providing millions of American workers with a cost-effective investment vehicle to save for retirement. For example, average equity mutual fund expense ratios incurred by 401(k) plan participants have fallen by 66...
ICI Statement on DOL Guidance on Holding Cryptocurrency in 401(k) Plans
Washington, DC; May 28, 2025—Today, the Investment Company Institute (ICI) issued the following statement after the Department of Labor rescinded previous guidance from 2022 on holding cryptocurrency in 401(k) plans. “ICI applauds the Department of Labor for rescinding its guidance on holding cryptocurrency in 401(k) plans. As we noted in 2022, the prior guidance was inconsistent with law and lacked a legal basis. The choice to include cryptocurrency in retirement plan investments or not should be left up to the plan fiduciaries, who are in the best place make decisions. Thanks to DOL's action...