Numerous changes to the retirement industry in the past decade apparently haven't had much effect on participation rates among married couples.

A study by the U.S. Social Security Administration's Office of Retirement and Disability Policy examined pension plan and defined contribution plan participation data from 1998 and 2009. It focused its attention on married couples as a unit and how their involvement in retirement plans has changed in that 10-year time frame.

Using Census Bureau data matched with Social Security administrative records, the office examined participation in employer-provided retirement plans by plan type among couples where both spouses are present and the husband is a full-time wage and salary worker aged 25-60. It measured participation by specific plan type for married couples rather than married workers separately because couples share their retirement income, regardless of whether those contributions are through the husband or the wife.