401(k) Day Helps Workers Understand Their Retirement Plan

Each year following Labor Day, the Plan Sponsor Council of America (PSCA) observes 401(k) Day to remind workers of the benefits of saving and investing through a 401(k) plan and to provide employers with related educational resources. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the observance.

The 2026 theme is “Never Too Little, Never Too Late,” which addresses two concerns that commonly prevent employees from taking action: the belief that they can’t afford to save and the fear that it’s too late to accumulate enough money to make a difference. On the PSCA’s website, employers can access materials, including infographics that help illustrate the long-term benefits of time and compounding.

Five steps that can help build good habits

Among the other resources available to employers is a series of materials highlighting “Five Steps to Get on Track.” With the rapid increase in automatic enrollment over the past two decades, many of today’s workers may have 401(k) accounts but may not be aware of how they work or even how to access them. These materials are designed to increase engagement by encouraging employees to take five quick steps to learn how to make the most of their 401(k) plan.

1. Access your retirement plan account — Helps ensure employees know how to log into their accounts

2. Check your balance — Encourages workers to check their current balance and retirement income projection, and consolidate old accounts, if appropriate

3. Check your savings rate — Asks plan participants to consider how much they’re saving, whether they’re taking full advantage of any employer match, and the benefits of automatic contribution increases

4. Review your investments — Prompts workers to understand their investment strategy, use available tools, and help ensure their investments align with their time horizon and risk tolerance

5. Check your beneficiaries — Reminds participants to review their beneficiary designations and update them, if necessary, after major life events

Employers, take note

For plan sponsors, 401(k) Day presents an opportunity to encourage wise saving and investing habits and draw attention to existing plan features. Employers can take advantage of the occasion to explain matching contributions, investment options, pre-tax and Roth contributions, catch-up provisions, and the tools available to plan participants to help them along the road to retirement.

An opportunity to reevaluate retirement planning

Whether workers are just starting out or approaching retirement, 401(k) Day can provide useful reminders to understand how their plan works and review their saving and investing progress.