Managed Accounts have evolved in the two decades in which they have been available within the U.S. defined contribution (DC) system. Still, as of 2026, managed accounts offer varying philosophies, approaches, and delivery methods, which provide employers with distinctly different options to consider.

Managed accounts (MAs) are celebrating more than two decades of availability within U.S. defined contribution (DC) plans—and they have ascended from a niche service to one being seriously considered as a qualified default investment alternative (QDIA) by many plans today. As of 2026, MAs offer varying philosophies, approaches, and delivery methods—and while questions remain about who the ideal target market is and how to benchmark performance, providers are optimistic due to the many tailwinds driving adoption like lower costs and artificial intelligence (AI).

In collaboration with Manifest, the DC Data Dashboard provides deep-dives into the headline numbers behind the dashboard. In this deep dive, we explore participant contributions reaching record levels of over $524 billion in net new dollars to their workplace retirement accounts by the end of 2026

In collaboration with Manifest, the DC Data Dashboard provides deep-dives into the headline numbers behind the dashboard. In this deep dive, we explore the employer match as a behavioral floor for the majority of participants. Employers expect to spend $327 billion in contributions to workplace defined contribution plans by the end of 2026, representing 16.4% of all net new dollars flowing into the DC system this year.

Brought by the DCIIA Retirement Income Committee, please review part one of a webinar series highlighting plan sponsors' experiences with evaluating and implementing retirement income solutions.