A quiet disconnect is surfacing in workplace retirement programs, and it affects both employers and the employees who depend on them. According to a new WTW survey of 547 U.S. plan sponsors, 75% consider retirement savings a high priority, yet only 60% have a working definition of what "retirement readiness" actually means. Among those that do, the most common measures were income replacement, retiring on time, and retirement confidence.

This gap matters more than it first appears. A plan can post strong participation and savings numbers while still leaving an important question unanswered: are employees actually positioned for a successful retirement? Healthy metrics can create a sense of progress without confirming that people are on track for the outcome that matters most. When success is never clearly defined, it becomes nearly impossible to design toward it — or to know whether the plan is truly working.

For plan sponsors and advisors, the challenge is shifting. It is no longer enough to offer a capable, standardized plan and measure activity. The real opportunity lies in designing a plan around the organization's specific workforce, culture, and objectives, then measuring it against a clear picture of what a good retirement looks like for those employees.

RetireBetter is built around exactly that principle. Rather than fitting clients into off-the-shelf solutions, RetireBetter takes a customized approach to retirement plan design — starting with a deep understanding of the client's business and supported by a professional service team. Its 401(k) plans are shaped around the people they serve, and for nonprofits and government organizations, RetireBetter also provides 403(b) and 457(b) solutions. For business owners looking to contribute beyond 401(k) limits, Cash Balance plans offer customized actuarial funding strategies.

For organizations, this approach means:

• A plan designed around a specific workforce and set of goals, not a generic template
• A clear, measurable definition of what retirement success looks like
• Flexible solutions spanning 401(k), 403(b), 457(b), and Cash Balance plans
• Ongoing guidance from a dedicated professional service team

And for employees, it means greater confidence that they are genuinely on track — not just participating, but progressing toward a retirement they can count on.

The right retirement plan should start with a clear definition of what success looks like — and then be designed accordingly. In a moment when priorities are high but definitions are lagging, that clarity is what separates a plan that simply exists from one that actually delivers.