Why Participate in the Illinois Secure Choice Worker Survey

The Pew Charitable Trusts’ retirement savings project is conducting a poll of current and former participants in the new Illinois Secure Choice program, which creates individual retirement accounts (IRAs) for workers whose employers do not offer a retirement plan. John Scott, the Pew project director, answers questions about the effort.

Q: What is The Pew Charitable Trusts?

A: Pew is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization. Informed by our founders’ interest in research, practical knowledge, and a robust democracy, our portfolio of work has grown to include state policy, family finance, conservation, and health initiatives, as well as public opinion research and arts and culture efforts.

Q: What is Illinois Secure Choice?

A: Illinois Secure Choice is a new retirement savings program for Illinois workers who do not have a retirement plan at their workplace. Illinois Secure Choice launched its pilot program in early 2018.

Q: How did Pew get my name?

A: We received your name from the state of Illinois and the Illinois Secure Choice program administrator (Ascensus). The Pew Charitable Trusts has a contract with the state to conduct polling to examine your experience in the program. Pew and its partner the Rand Corp. are required to keep your information confidential.

Q: I opted out of Illinois Secure Choice. Can I still participate in the study?

A: Yes, this study is open to people who opted out as well as those who remain in the Secure Choice program.

Q: Why should I participate?

A: Pew is studying workers’ experiences with Illinois Secure Choice. Your answers can help make improvements to the program. In addition, policymakers around the country are considering proposals similar to Secure Choice aimed at increasing access to retirement plans. The greater the participation in the study, the more accurate the results will be. If too few people take part, the data will be less reliable. We would like your help to make the survey as accurate as possible.

Q: Will the information I provide be safe?

A: Yes, the information you provide will be used only for this study. We keep your contact information encrypted and protected by passwords. Only people who work on the project have access to it.

Q: How will my survey responses be used?

A: Your responses will be combined with those of other Illinois Secure Choice participants and used for statistical analysis and reporting. You and your responses will never be personally identifiable in the data or in reports based on the responses you and others provide.

Q: Do I have to answer these surveys?

A: No, your participation in this study is voluntary. Your decision to participate in the Pew study will have no impact on your Illinois Secure Choice program participation. However, because there is a lot of interest nationally in the Illinois program, we hope you will decide to participate.

Q: How long will each survey take to complete?

A: For most people, each survey takes about 10 minutes to complete.

Q: Do I have to take the survey online?

A: Yes, all surveys must be completed online using a desktop, laptop, tablet computer, or smartphone.

Q: How will I get paid for completing surveys?

A: We will provide you with an e-gift card as follows:

$15 when you complete the first survey.
$5 when you update your contact information between the first and second surveys.
$15 when you complete the second survey.
$5 when you update your contact information between the second and third surveys.
$15 when you complete the third survey.
$20 bonus for completing all three surveys (paid when you complete the third survey).

If you complete all surveys and contact updates, you will earn $75.

Q: I am having trouble starting the survey. Who can help me?

A: If you have any problems, please send an email to [email protected].