Welcome to 401(k)ompass, a series of 2-minute videos to help you manage your 401(k) more effectively by addressing current issues and challenges.

In this episode, Vice President and Senior Relationship Manager Derek Burrow explains why employees delay saving even when they know they should, and what employers can do to turn good intentions into action.

Saving typically feels like a future problem to most employees. Our brains favor short-term wins over long-term goals we can’t picture yet. Everyday stress, debt, and unclear goals make it easy to wait. The question is: What actually changes that?

Watch the 2-minute episode to see Derek’s answer.

Helping employees turn saving later into saving now starts with plan design. If you’d like a hand looking at yours, let’s talk. Call us at 866-608-8650.

Video Transcript

Hi, I’m Derek. And today I’m going to talk about encouraging better savings habits for your employees.

We all know we should save, so why do we delay, even when we know better?

The truth is, savings feels like a future problem. Our brains are wired for short-term wins, not long-term goals we can’t see. Add in everyday stress, debt, and unclear goals, and savings gets pushed to later again.

So, how can employers help?

You can help by making saving feel real, easy, and available right now. Offer tools like auto enrollment, matching contributions, and goals-based savings features. This removes friction and builds momentum.

Then reinforce good behavior. Small nudges like encouragement, real-time progress tracking, can turn good intentions into action.

And don’t forget to communicate. A good benefit is only valuable if the employee knows it’s there.

We all struggle to save, but with the right support at work, you can help your employees turn saving later into saving now.

If you’d like help with this? Give us a call.