Small business workers want retirement

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COLUMBUS, Ohio, Dec. 3 (UPI) -- Three-quarters of small business owners say so many Americans are financially unprepared for retirement it's reached crisis levels, a survey says.

A survey of small business owners by Nationwide Financial indicates small businesses may add to the problem because only 19 percent of these businesses offer their employees a 401(k) or other employee self-funded retirement plan.

The Harris Poll of 501 small business owners indicates only 11 percent say they are likely to add an employee sponsored 401(k) plan within the next two years, 69 percent say they won't because their business is too small, and more than half say it would be too expensive.

Thirty-seven percent of small business owners with more than six employees say they are under pressure from employees to offer a retirement plan, and 78 percent of that group say having a retirement plan is effective in helping to attract qualified employees.

"Our survey found 46 percent of small business owners were not aware or were unsure that an employee self-funded retirement plan could be offered without having to match employee contributions," Anne Arvia, senior vice president of retirement plans for Nationwide Financial, said in a statement "The provisions in the Small Businesses Add Value for Employees (SAVE) Act before Congress will encourages small businesses to pool together resources under a single plan with easier administrative requirements."