22 Jul 2025
56m

Episode 84, Jeff Clark, author of "How America Saves 2025," Vanguard's annual report on workplace 401(k) plans, host Rick Ferri

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Bogleheads On Investing Podcast

Jeff Clark, a 27-year Vanguard veteran and author of "How America Saves 2025," discusses key insights from the report, focusing on 401k plan evolution and its impact on employee savings. A key trend is the increasing adoption of auto-enrollment, with 61% of plans now using it, leading to significantly higher participation rates, especially among new hires and younger workers. The discussion highlights the shift towards higher default contribution rates and automatic annual increases, aiming to boost savings towards the recommended 12-15%. Clark also addresses the growing prevalence of Roth 401k options and the increasing allocation to target-date funds, which promote diversified equity risk across all income levels.

Outlines

Part 1: Introduction, Data, and Methodology

Part 2: Plan Design, Eligibility, and Auto-Enrollment

Part 3: Demographics and Behavioral Trends

Part 4: Tax Strategies and Contribution Types

Part 5: Asset Allocation and Investment Performance

Part 6: Managed Solutions and Participant Discipline

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