I'm thankful that so manyemployers choose to match retirement plan contributions or to makeprofit-sharing contributions (or both), for without those matchingdollars, many workers would surely have far less set aside forretirement.(Photo: Shutterstock)

Thanksgiving has been called a “uniquely American” holiday, andthough that is perhaps something of an overstatement, it isunquestionably a special holiday, and one on which it seemsappropriate to reflect on all for which we should bethankful.  And so…

I'm thankful that participants, by and large, continue to hangin there with their commitment to retirement savings, despitelingering economic uncertainty and competing financial priorities,such as rising health care costs and college debt.

I'm thankful that so many employers voluntarily choose to offera workplace retirement plan — and that so many workers, when givenan opportunity to participate, do.

I'm thankful that figuring out ways to expand access to plansremains, even now, a bipartisan concern – even when the ways toaddress it aren't always.

I'm thankful that so many employers choose to matchcontributions or to make profit-sharing contributions (or both),for without those matching dollars, many workers would likely notparticipate or contribute at their current levels — and they wouldsurely have far less set aside for retirement.

I'm thankful that the vast majority of workers defaulted intoretirement savings programs tend to remain there — and that thereare mechanisms (automatic enrollment, contribution acceleration andqualified default investment alternatives) in place to help themsave and invest better than they might otherwise.

I'm thankful that a growing number of plan sponsors are choosingto improve on those automatic defaults, particularly by raising thestarting contribution rates.

I'm thankful that more plan sponsors are extending thosemechanisms to their existing workers as well as new hires.

I'm thankful for qualified default investment alternatives thatmake it easy for participants to create well-diversified andregularly rebalanced investment portfolios — and for the thoughtfuland on-going review of those options by prudent planfiduciaries.

I'm thankful that, as powerful as those mechanisms are inencouraging positive savings behavior, we continue to look for waysto improve and enhance their influence(s).

I'm thankful that a growing number of policy makers are willingto admit that the “deferred” nature of 401(k) tax preferences are,in fact, different from the permanent forbearance of other tax“preferences” — even if governmental accountants and certainacademics remain oblivious.

I'm thankful that the “plot” to kill the 401(k)… (still) hasn't.Yet.

I'm thankful that those who regulate our industry continue toseek the input of those in the industry — and that so many,particularly those among our membership, take the time and energyto provide that input.

I'm thankful for objective research that validates the positiveimpact that committed planning and preparation for retirementmakes.

I'm thankful for the ability to take to task research thatdoesn't live up to those objective standards – and for those whotake the time to share those findings.

I'm thankful for all of you who have supported – and I hopebenefited from – our various conferences, education programs, andcommunications throughout the year.

I'm thankful for the team here at the Plan Sponsor Council ofAmerica (and the American Retirement Association, generally, aswell as all the sister associations), and for the strength,commitment and expanding diversity of our membership.

I'm thankful to be part of a growing organization in animportant industry at a critical time. I'm thankful to be able, insome small way, to make a difference.

But most of all, I'm once again thankful for the unconditionallove and patience of my family, the camaraderie of dear friends andcolleagues, the opportunity to write and share these thoughts — andfor the ongoing support and appreciation of readers like you.

Here's wishing you and yours a very happy Thanksgiving!

-Nevin E. Adams, JD

Nevin Adams is the American RetirementAssociation's Chief Content Officer and serves as Editor in Chiefof NAPA Net and NAPA Net the Magazine. Previously he wasthe Employee Benefits Research Institute's Director of Educationand External Relations, Co-Director of EBRI's Center for Researchon Retirement Income and Director of the American Savings EducationCouncil.