$8 Trillion and Counting: What the Dominance of Single-Employer 401(k) Plans Means for Advisors and Business Owners

According to recent survey data, single-employer 401(k) plans represent more than $8 trillion of the $12 trillion in defined contribution assets in the U.S. That’s two-thirds of the entire market, and it’s growing.

This isn’t just a statistic. It’s a signal.

For wealth advisors, CPAs, and business owners, it underscores the importance of smart, compliant, and forward-thinking plan design. Because when that much capital is in motion, the margin for error, and the opportunity for optimization, are both massive.

Why Single-Employer Plans Dominate

Unlike pooled employer plans (PEPs) or multi-employer plans, single-employer 401(k) plans offer more customization and control. Business owners can tailor their retirement plans to:

  • Maximize tax savings
  • Incentivize and retain key employees
  • Integrate profit-sharing and DB elements
  • Align contributions with ownership and compensation strategies 

This level of precision isn’t possible in one-size-fits-all models.

The Hidden Risk: Complexity

The downside? Complexity.

As plan assets grow, so does fiduciary responsibility. So do compliance requirements. So does the need for coordinated plan design that avoids overlapping contributions, underutilized tax shelters, or costly operational errors.

That’s where The Asteri Collective comes in.

A Trusted Partner to Advisors and Recordkeepers

We’re not here to replace the advisor. We’re here to amplify your value. Wealth advisors refer us in for plan design because we make their job easier. We do the technical work, plan structure, contribution limits, compliance, and hand the plan back for investment setup.

The result?

  • The advisor keeps control of the relationship and assets
  • The client gets a high-performing, compliant plan
  • Everyone saves time and increases value 

Looking Ahead

With over $8 trillion in play, the stakes have never been higher. Business owners can’t afford to get plan design wrong. Advisors can’t afford to rely on basic templates. And recordkeepers need a partner who understands the full picture, contributions, compliance, tax strategy, and transitions.

At The Asteri Collective, we specialize in making retirement plans work, no matter how complex the business.