Georgetown Center for Retirement Initiatives

As of April 30, 2026, state-facilitated retirement savings programs have reached another milestone — more than $3 billion in total assets and more than 1.2 million funded saver accounts. It took nearly five years to reach the first $500 million but less than two and a half years to grow from $1 billion to $3 billion. Program growth is accelerating, saver participation is surging, and the pipeline of programs continues to expand.

View Previous CRI Forums

Download National and State-Level Estimates

Highlights

Alaska legislature passes 23^rd state program (18^th auto-IRA program)

Philadelphia voters pass new city auto-IRA program

View the President’s April 30, 2026 EO: Promoting Retirement-Savings Access

View State Program Performance Data – $3.09 Billion in Total Assets (with $3.03 Billion in the Auto-IRA Programs) as of April 30, 2026

59+ Million Full and Part-Time Workers Lack Access to Retirement Savings. Who Lacks Access in Your State?

Blog Post: Retirement Savers and AI Advice

Podcast –What Are Some Key Trends Shaping the Future of Retirement?

Latest from the CRI

Report: Financial Vulnerabilities Among Retirement Savers: Trends and Outcomes

Report: The Effect of Private Market Assets on Retirement Income in Cases of Disrupted Savings

Working Paper: How Do Tax Incentives Influence Employer Decisions to Offer Retirement Benefits?

Working Paper: State Auto-IRA Policies and Firm Behavior: Lessons from Administrative Tax Data

2026 State Program & Legislative Activity Map

Click on the map to view program information quick links (red shaded states)
Login to view detailed 2026 state legislative activity updates (green states)

Auto-IRA Active

Auto-IRA Adopted

Voluntary MEP, IRA or Marketplace Active

Voluntary MEP, IRA or Marketplace Adopted

Legislation Introduced

Past Legislative Efforts

No Past Legislative Efforts

State Program Action Updates

Upcoming board meetings:

CA: 5/21; VA: 5/21; OR: 5/28; NJ: 5/29;
DE: 6/2; MA: 6/2; CT: 6/12; HI: 6/16;
ME: 6/17; MD: 6/22; WA: 6/23; MN: 7/14;
NV: 7/15; IL: 8/13; CO: 8/18; MA: 8/20;

Recent program action:

On May 19, 2026, voters in Philadelphia approved the creation of the new Philadelphia Retirement Savings Program. It is the third city-enacted auto-IRA program, but the two other cities (Seattle and New York City) were overtaken by state enacted programs. If implemented, Philly Saves would be the first city program to launch.
On May 19, 2026, the Alaska legislature passed and will send to the governor a new auto-IRA program. The Alaska Work and Save program is the 23^rd state program in the nation, and the 3^rd state program enacted in 2026 (along with Utah and Mississippi).
As of May 13, 2026, 17 of the 22 state programs (15 auto-IRA – CA, CO, CT, DE, IL, MD, ME, MN, NJ, NV, NY, OR, RI, VA, VT) and 2 others – MA (MEP) and WA (Marketplace) are open to all eligible employers and workers.
As of April 30, 2026, state auto-IRA programs report $3.03 of the $3.09+ billion in assets administered across all state programs and more than 1.2+ million funded accounts.

View All State Updates →

International Programs

Social Security Administration’s International Updates

OECD Pensions Outlook 2024

Mercer CFA Institute Global Pension Index 2025

OECD Pensions at a Glance 2025

→ View international reports and country updates (login may be required)

CRI in the News

State Auto-IRA Programs Eclipse $3 billion in Retirement Assets, (401k Specialist, May 15, 2026)

State-Facilitated Retirement Assets Triple in 2.5 Years (Planadviser, May 15, 2026)

State-Facilitated Retirement Savings Assets Hit $3B (Plansponsor, May 15, 2026)

How State Auto-IRAs Are Changing Retirement Savings (The Daily Upside, May 15, 2026)

PEPs Expected to See Increased Uptake, More Self-Employed Participants Under New SEC Guidance (Pensions & Investments, May 14, 2026).

Trump’s federal IRA marketplace a positive step, but Congress must act to close coverage gap, sources say (Pensions & Investments, May 13, 2026)

→ See more coverage of CRI or submit a media inquiry.

How to Support CRI

Make a Gift

The Center for Retirement Initiatives is a 100% self-funded, independent think tank. Your generous donation will help us to ensure that we have the resources to continue and achieve our important mission goals. Learn more.

Become a Supporter

Access exclusive CRI research, data and information available to CRI Superstars, including our State Resource Center and the latest updates on state, federal and international legislative and policy reforms. Learn more.

Spread the Word

Help the Center for Retirement Initiatives promote our objectives by following us on social media, sharing our website and research with others, and joining our email list to stay up-to-date on the latest happenings. Learn more.