25% of US retirement assets in DC plans

The report adds that only 2.5 percent of DC plan participants stopped contributing to their plans during the first three quarters of 2013. This compares with 2.1 and 2.2 percent during the same period in 2012 and 2011, respectively.

The report shows also that loan activity among DC plan participants is higher than the level recorded five years ago.

"This pattern of activity was also observed in the wake of the bear market and recession earlier in the decade," the report states. "At the end of September 2013, 18.3 percent of DC plan participants had loans outstanding, compared with 18.2 percent at year-end 2012 and 15.3 percent at year-end 2008.

The report indicates that 25 percent of U.S. retirement assets were defined contribution plan assets in the third quarter of 2013. By investment vehicle, retirement assets break down as follows:

• Individual retirement accounts - 6.2 percent;
• Federal, state and local pensions – 5.4 percent;
• 401(k) plans – 4.0 percent;
• Private defined benefit plans – 2.9 percent;
• Annuities - 1.9 percent;
• Other defined contribution plans – 1.6 percent.