Participation is often treated as one of the clearest indicators of a successful retirement plan. But having an account and actively engaging with it are not necessarily the same thing.

Empower’s latest research found that participants who engage with their retirement plans are 1.5 times more likely to save up to their employer match and 1.8 times more likely to save beyond it. The study analyzed 6.7 million active participant accounts and included responses from 1,076 plan sponsors.

The findings point to an important distinction for plan sponsors: access is only the beginning of the retirement savings journey. A participant may have access to a 401(k), but the value of that benefit also depends on whether the plan makes it easier for employees to understand their options, make informed decisions, and continue saving over time.

This puts greater emphasis on the overall participant experience. Plan design, investment access, communication, service, and administrative support all contribute to how employees interact with a retirement plan. For employers, the challenge is creating a structure that works for the business while remaining accessible and useful to a diverse workforce.

For advisors, this creates another consideration. Supporting clients effectively requires more than selecting a plan structure. The right administrative and service infrastructure can allow advisors to focus more on their client relationships while reducing the day-to-day operational burden associated with running a retirement plan.

RetireBetter works with advisors and their clients through a technology-driven administration and recordkeeping platform. Its 401(k) solutions are customized around each organization and supported by a professional service team that takes the time to understand the client’s business. RetireBetter also provides 403(b) plans for ERISA and non-ERISA nonprofits, 457(b) plans for government agencies, nonprofits, and qualified contractors, and Cash Balance plans for business owners seeking to contribute beyond 401(k) limits.

Its Plan Administration service can further reduce the daily administrative burden through 3(16) fiduciary or non-fiduciary administration, helping employers keep their plans operating smoothly.

As workplace retirement plans continue to evolve, the conversation is moving beyond whether employees have access to a plan. The next question is how effectively that plan helps participants engage, save, and make progress toward retirement.