Background: The 2025 BlackRock Read on Retirement survey provides a decade of insights from an annual research study of workplace savers and retirees in the United States. Over 450 plan sponsors were also surveyed. The survey is executed by Escalent, an independent research company, with all respondents interviewed using an online questionnaire.Findings: With 10 years of insights, this year’s Read on Retirement® report reveals a striking paradox: while savers’ retirement confidence is rising, employer confidence and actual savings contributions are falling.64% of workplace savers feel on track for retirement, up 23% over the last 10 years. But just 38% of plan sponsors believe most employees are truly on track, highlighting a disconnect between how prepared people feel and how prepared they likely are. Economic volatility also plays a role in retirement readiness – our data shows that in the years markets are uneasy (like this one), so are savers. This year, savings rates dropped to 10%, down from 12% just a few years ago.Source: BlackRock, 2025 BlackRock Read on Retirement surveyBottom Line: While much progress has been made to help educate participants and simplify saving for retirement, savers and plan sponsors alike are seeking more solutions to help build confidence and fund longer retirements, including:1) Leaning into active management: 83% of plan sponsors believe actively managed funds help reduce volatility for participants, and 80% of savers express interest in actively managed funds, underscoring an opportunity for plan sponsors to help make their participants’ retirement investments work harder.2) Access to more financial security: For the first time, 100% of employers feel responsible for helping participants generate and manage income, and 80% of savers express interest in guaranteed income solutions, highlighting a shared priority for income stability in retirement.Plan sponsors have powerful tools at their fingertips: active management and guaranteed income solutions that meet savers where they are. The opportunity now is to turn concern into confidence — and potential into progress. The next decade of retirement will be built through bold action, smarter design and a system that works harder for everyone.Insights shared by guest contributors are their own and do not represent the views of DCIIA or the RRC. The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.