Spotlighting Leaders in Retirement Plan Digital Experiences
DALBAR has taken a close look at how retirement plan providers serve plan sponsors online, studying the parts of the experience that sponsors use every day. The organization recently released findings from three companion studies that together map the current state of sponsor-facing websites and tools. The flagship, the Plan Sponsor Website Ranking, evaluates the overall experience and breadth of resources available to plan sponsors. Two focused reviews—on Self-Service Reporting and on Plan Sponsor Dashboards—dig into the specific capabilities that help sponsors monitor plans, run reports, and act on what they see.
Across these studies, DALBAR emphasizes practical usability: not just what a site can do, but how quickly a sponsor can find it, understand it, and put it to work. Reporting tools and dashboards get special attention because they’re where decisions often start—where data turns into action.
Top Performers in the Industry
This year’s results highlight firms that pair strong functionality with clear, approachable design. Principal Financial Group and TIAA stood out in the Plan Sponsor Website Ranking for building sponsor experiences that feel capable and easy to navigate. Principal Financial Group earned particular notice for its innovative Retirement Wellness Score tracker and its engaging visual tools that make complex information easier to grasp at a glance. TIAA’s dashboard features robust financial wellness resources and a dedicated Plan Sponsor Calendar—useful anchors that help sponsors stay organized and on time.
What sets these platforms apart isn’t just a list of features; it’s how those features come together. Helpful visuals, clear labels, and well-organized pages reduce friction, so sponsors can get in, get answers, and keep plans moving.
Analytical Excellence, Recognized
John Hancock received recognition for multifaceted, insightful analytic reports that blend strong data visualization with an excellent user experience. Reports are designed to surface meaning, not just numbers, and to do so in a way that’s approachable. The platform also offers context-sensitive support—help that appears in the right place at the right time—so users can navigate confidently and get more out of the reporting tools.
Training and Support That Make a Difference
Lincoln Financial and Nationwide also stood out in DALBAR’s evaluation. Both firms back their technology with training and support that help sponsors use intricate reporting systems effectively. Lincoln Financial’s dashboard draws praise for its clarity and organized layout, which helps users stay oriented as they move from overview to detail. Nationwide shines for its customization options and thoughtful use of color-coding, making navigation more intuitive while allowing sponsors to tailor views to their needs.
When training and interface design work together, complex tasks feel manageable. That’s the through line here: good tools, explained well, presented simply.
Commitment to Excellence
The recognition these firms receive points to an ongoing commitment to meet the shifting needs of plan sponsors and administrators. As the landscape evolves, so do expectations for what digital experiences should deliver—speed, clarity, and support. By refining their websites, reporting tools, dashboards, and training, these leaders are setting a higher bar and encouraging steady improvement across the industry.
It’s not a one-and-done effort. Continuous updates, small and large, make these platforms more useful over time and, ultimately, more valuable to the sponsors who rely on them.
About DALBAR
DALBAR is an independent provider of market research for the financial services industry. Its mission is to raise standards and improve client interactions by studying how audiences behave and how firms communicate. Through research, ratings, and benchmarking, DALBAR gives financial firms practical tools to understand their customers and strengthen the way they serve them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did DALBAR evaluate in these studies?
DALBAR examined the digital experiences retirement plan sponsors use, centering on the Plan Sponsor Website Ranking and two focused reviews—Self-Service Reporting and Plan Sponsor Dashboards—to assess features, usability, and day-to-day usefulness.
Which firms led the Plan Sponsor Website Ranking?
Principal Financial Group and TIAA emerged as top performers in the Plan Sponsor Website Ranking, recognized for pairing strong functionality with user-friendly design.
What sets Principal Financial Group and TIAA apart?
Principal Financial Group is noted for its innovative Retirement Wellness Score tracker and engaging visual tools. TIAA’s dashboard stands out for robust financial wellness resources and a dedicated Plan Sponsor Calendar that helps sponsors stay organized.
Why was John Hancock recognized?
John Hancock was acknowledged for multifaceted, insightful analytic reports that combine strong data visualizations with an excellent user experience, supported by context-sensitive help that eases navigation.
How did Lincoln Financial and Nationwide distinguish themselves?
Lincoln Financial and Nationwide were recognized for training and support that help sponsors manage complex reporting. Lincoln’s dashboard earns praise for clarity and organization, while Nationwide’s customization options and color-coding make navigation more intuitive.
