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Small companies have a big retirement problem

Companies with fewer than 100 workers employ 36 percent of the U.S. workforce, or about 42 million people, but many of those employees don't get access to a retirement plan.

By Ben Steverman | Updated on January 11, 2017
Cost was the main reason owners of small and medium-size businesses didn't offer a retirement plan. (Photo: Getty)

(Bloomberg) — Thinking about taking a job at a small company? Don’t expect a good retirement plan.

At companies with fewer than 50 workers, not even half the employees have access to a 401(k) or pension, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. At companies with 500 workers or more, 90 percent of employees have access to a retirement plan. 

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