Cerulli survey finds 46% prefer flexible retirement withdrawals, 39% want guaranteed income

Cerulli's U.S. Defined Contribution Distribution report found no dominant retirement income preference: 46% of participants wanted flexible withdrawals and 39% wanted guaranteed monthly income.

Guardian's survey separately found that only 34% of respondents had planned for income past age 80, leaving roughly two-thirds without a stated plan.

Neither figure gives plan sponsors a majority to anchor a default income solution. A flexible-withdrawal default would serve the larger group but not the 39% seeking guarantees; a guaranteed-income default would do the reverse.