Employees are in need of simple, straightforward guidance regarding their retirement plans, a survey released by State Street Global Advisors found.

"Plan participants communicated loud and clear about what they need: simple steps and automated features," Kristi Mitchem, senior managing director and head of Global Defined Contribution for SSgA, said in a statement. "One of the most surprising and encouraging findings is the willingness of participants to take 401(k) direction from their employers. The ongoing volatility in the financial markets has increased anxiety amongst plan participants and a significant percentage want simplified and prescriptive guidance in order to make progress toward their retirement goals."

The survey highlighted four areas of emphasis for employers to help their workers.