Missed 401(k) Day? Don’t Worry, that’s Kind of the Point
It’s Never Too Late to Start Building Financial Habits
401(k) Day came and went earlier this month, and if it slipped past you, you’re in plenty of company. But before you file it under “maybe next year,” consider what this year’s theme actually says.
Each year following Labor Day, the Plan Sponsor Council of America (PSCA) observes 401(k) Day to remind workers of the benefits of saving and investing through a 401(k) plan and to provide employers with related educational resources. This year marked the 30th anniversary of the observance.
The 2026 theme is “Never Too Little, Never Too Late,” which addresses two concerns that commonly prevent employees from taking action: the belief that they can’t afford to save and the fear that it’s too late to accumulate enough money to make a difference.
On the PSCA’s website, employers can access materials, including infographics that help illustrate the long-term benefits of time and compounding.
Five steps that can help build good habits
Among the other resources available to employers is a series of materials highlighting “Five Steps to Get on Track.” With the rapid increase in automatic enrollment over the past two decades, many of today’s workers may have 401(k) accounts but may not be aware of how they work or even how to access them.
These materials are designed to increase engagement by encouraging employees to take five quick steps to learn how to make the most of their 401(k) plan.
- Access your retirement plan account — Helps ensure employees know how to log into their accounts
- Check your balance — Encourages workers to check their current balance and retirement income projection, and consolidate old accounts, if appropriate
- Check your savings rate — Asks plan participants to consider how much they’re saving, whether they’re taking full advantage of any employer match, and the benefits of automatic contribution increases
- Review your investments — Prompts workers to understand their investment strategy, use available tools, and help ensure their investments align with their time horizon and risk tolerance
- Check your beneficiaries — Reminds participants to review their beneficiary designations and update them, if necessary, after major life events
Employers, take note
Plan sponsors who let the day pass haven’t lost anything either. The weeks following 401(k) Day are a natural time to encourage wise saving and investing habits and draw attention to existing plan features. Employers can use the occasion — or any point in the year — to explain matching contributions, investment options, pre-tax and Roth contributions, catch-up provisions, and the tools available to plan participants to help them along the road to retirement
Never too late to start retirement planning
Whether workers are just starting out or approaching retirement, these are useful reminders to understand how a plan works and review saving and investing progress. Missing a day devoted to the subject of 401(k)s is a small thing. Missing the years of compounding behind it is not.
Material contained in this article is provided for information purposes only. It is not intended to be used in connection with the evaluation of any investments offered by David Lerner Associates, Inc. This material does not constitute an offer or recommendation to buy or sell securities and should not be considered in connection with the purchase or sale of securities. These materials are provided for general information and educational purposes, based on publicly available information from sources believed to be reliable. We cannot assure the accuracy or completeness of these materials. The information in these materials may change at any time and without notice. Some aspects prepared by Broadridge Advisor Solutions. © 2026 Broadridge Financial Services, Inc.