56% of Near-Retirees Plan to Move Their 401(k) Savings. Here’s Why That Matters.

Millions of Americans spend decades building retirement savings through their employer. But when retirement arrives, many are considering moving that money elsewhere.

According to an October 13 report citing the 2026 Retirement Study conducted by DCIIA for Allspring Global Investments, 70% of near-retirees trust their employers when it comes to retirement plan design.

Yet 56% expect to move their workplace retirement savings elsewhere when they retire.

The study surveyed 1,510 Americans with at least $200,000 in household investable assets, including 752 near-retirees.

And the findings reveal something important: Trusting your employer’s retirement plan doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best place to keep your money after retirement.

Why retirees should pay attention

The retirement plan that helped you build your savings may not be the one that best meets your needs once you stop working.

While you’re employed, your 401(k) is primarily designed to help you accumulate savings.

But in retirement, your priorities may change.

You may need dependable income, easier access to your money, lower fees, or greater control over how your savings are invested.

The study found that near-retirees were particularly interested in lower costs, retirement-focused investment options, and flexible withdrawals.

It also revealed that 66% expressed interest in an annuity option that could pass remaining savings to their heirs, compared with just 34% interested in an annuity without that feature.

That highlights an important concern for retirees:

It’s no longer just about how much money you’ve saved. It’s about how that money will support you—and what you may leave behind.

And with retirement potentially lasting 20 or 30 years, understanding your options becomes increasingly important.

The lesson: retirement changes the rules

Before leaving your retirement savings in an employer-sponsored plan—or moving them elsewhere—ask yourself:

Is my retirement money positioned for the years ahead, or am I simply leaving it where it’s always been?

And:

Do I have enough diversification to protect my retirement strategy from unexpected market changes?

For some retirees, moving eligible workplace retirement savings into an IRA may provide access to additional investment options, including physical gold and silver through a properly structured self-directed IRA.

However, rollovers aren’t automatically the better choice. Fees, taxes, investment protections, withdrawal rules, and available options should all be considered before making a decision.

The study doesn’t suggest everyone should move their 401(k). But it does highlight an important lesson: the strategy that helped you save for retirement deserves a fresh review when it’s time to start living on those savings.

Is your retirement too concentrated in one asset?

Talk through your options in a free, no-obligation strategy call with a Precious Metals Specialist.