Question: We added automatic enrollment a few years ago and are considering adding automatic escalation later this year. Is there any current data regarding participant satisfaction with this plan design feature?
Answer: You are not alone in considering adding an automatic escalation to your plan design. According to JP Morgan’s 2025 Defined Contribution Plan Sponsor Survey findings, 39% of plan sponsors currently offering automatic enrollment plan to add an automatic escalation feature this year. The survey results make a strong case for doing so: 89% of surveyed participants who report that their contributions are automatically escalated each year are satisfied with the experience and are also more confident that their savings will last their lifetimes.
