# Automatic Retirement Plans Spreading Nationwide, Nebraska Watching Closely  
**Published:** 2026-05-23T09:45:40.000Z  
**Source:** [Nebraska Examiner](https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/05/23/repub/automatic-retirement-plans-spread-as-states-cities-push-workers-to-build-nest-eggs/)  
**AI-generated:** yes (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001)  
**Canonical:** https://lincolne.news/article/automatic-retirement-plans-spreading-nationwide-nebraska-watching-closely

Philadelphia has become the first city in the nation to launch its own automatic retirement plan for workers without employer-sponsored benefits, a development that highlights a growing movement across states and municipalities to expand retirement security for millions of Americans.

[According to the Nebraska Examiner](https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/05/23/repub/automatic-retirement-plans-spread-as-states-cities-push-workers-to-build-nest-eggs/), voters in Philadelphia approved the PhillySaves program on Tuesday, which will require employers without retirement benefits to automatically enroll workers in individual retirement accounts, or IRAs. Workers can opt out if they choose.

[If Nebraska were to adopt similar legislation, it could help approximately 282,458 workers save for retirement](https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/fact-sheets/2025/03/nebraska-workplace-savings-program-would-help-282458-workers-save-for-a-more-secure-financial-future) while addressing concerns about an aging population and reducing taxpayer burden. Research shows workers are 15 times more likely to save for retirement when they can set aside money through payroll deductions.

The movement represents a national effort to close a significant gap: [approximately 53.7 million full-time and part-time workers between the ages of 18 and 65 lack access to any employer-based retirement plan](https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/15/states-auto-ira-retirement-programs.html).

[Pew estimates Philadelphia will spend about $1 million in upfront costs and approximately $500,000 annually on administration](https://www.pew.org/en/research-and-analysis/articles/2026/02/27/philadelphia-proposes-a-city-facilitated-retirement-plan-for-private-sector). The program targets employers with at least one employee that have been in business for at least two years and do not already offer a retirement benefit.

The expansion of these programs has accelerated dramatically. [More than 1.2 million workers across 15 states with active programs have collectively saved $3 billion for retirement through state-sponsored plans](https://stateline.org/2026/05/21/automatic-retirement-plans-spread-as-states-cities-push-workers-to-build-nest-eggs/). [As of 2026, state auto-IRA programs provide retirement savings access to millions, with 15 states active, nearly 1.2 million accounts, and $2.79 billion in assets](https://27.1/).

The growth trajectory has impressed observers. Since Oregon launched the first state plan in 2017, it took six years to accumulate the first $1 billion in 2023. However, reaching $2 billion took only 18 months after that, indicating rapid expansion and participation growth.

[Minnesota and Hawaii became the 17th and 18th states to offer automatic retirement programs, with Minnesota's program opening January 1 and Hawaii preparing to launch later this year](https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/15/states-auto-ira-retirement-programs.html).

The programs operate without employer match requirements and maintain low costs for businesses, as private contractors administer the investment funds under state oversight. [Studies show automatic enrollment leads to much higher participation rates than opt-in programs](https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/ria-retirement-programs.html).

Business opposition exists in some states. However, research indicates [nearly every state with an auto-IRA program recorded an increase in the rate of new private-sector retirement plans](https://www.napa-net.org/news/2026/4/state-auto-iras-new-proof-they-enhance-private-retirement-plans/), suggesting the programs may actually encourage employers to establish their own plans rather than discourage them.

## Sources

- [Nebraska Examiner](https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/05/23/repub/automatic-retirement-plans-spread-as-states-cities-push-workers-to-build-nest-eggs/)
- [The Pew Charitable Trusts: Nebraska Workplace Savings Program](https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/fact-sheets/2025/03/nebraska-workplace-savings-program-would-help-282458-workers-save-for-a-more-secure-financial-future)
- [CNBC: States auto-IRA retirement programs 2026](https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/15/states-auto-ira-retirement-programs.html)
- [Stateline: Automatic retirement plans spread](https://stateline.org/2026/05/21/automatic-retirement-plans-spread-as-states-cities-push-workers-to-build-nest-eggs/)
- [NAPA: State Auto-IRAs enhance private retirement plans](https://www.napa-net.org/news/2026/4/state-auto-iras-new-proof-they-enhance-private-retirement-plans/)

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This article was generated by AI (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001) based on source material from Nebraska Examiner, enriched with 3 web searches. The original source is available at https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/05/23/repub/automatic-retirement-plans-spread-as-states-cities-push-workers-to-build-nest-eggs/.