‘The survey shows employers want practical solutions that make retirement saving easier and more accessible for their employees.’
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Across Florida, small business owners are telling lawmakers they want a simpler path to help their employees save for retirement.
A new AARP analysis finds that while entrepreneurs want to help their workers build retirement security, many say they cannot do it alone. They are looking to state leaders for support.
According to the survey, 87% of business owners would back new laws that make it easier to offer retirement plans. Another 84% believe these options would help them attract and keep talented employees. The numbers point to a familiar challenge: even when small business owners want to do right by their workers, they often run into hurdles that larger companies can more easily clear.
The report highlights a gap affecting many of Florida’s estimated 4 million private-sector employees who work for small businesses. These workers may appreciate the flexibility and close-knit environment of a smaller employer, but when it comes to retirement, many have few options beyond Social Security.
“Workers employed by small businesses are less likely to have access to a plan, leaving many to rely primarily on Social Security in retirement,” the report states.
AARP officials say entrepreneurs are seeking guidance and assistance from Florida’s government.
“Florida’s small businesses understand that helping workers save for retirement strengthens families, businesses, and communities,” said Jeff Johnson, AARP Florida State Director. “The survey shows employers want practical solutions that make retirement saving easier and more accessible for their employees.”
AARP commissioned Alan Newman Research to conduct the survey, contacting 552 Florida small businesses with five to 100 employees between June 16 and July 23 to gauge their views on retirement savings options.
Among businesses surveyed that don’t currently offer a retirement plan, 74% said they’d be willing to offer a privately managed option if one were available. That openness, though, comes with a caveat: most owners say they need outside support to make it happen. Roughly 84% of owners said they’d offer more retirement savings options for their workers if they received some form of government assistance, underscoring how much cost and complexity drive their hesitation.
“But retirement savings plans can be costly and complicated, making it difficult to offer such a plan to their employees on their own,” the report stated.
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