Small Business Retirement Plan Participation and Needs for Information: Evidence from a Survey in Vermont (Survey‪)‬

Introduction While small businesses represent a key source of employment and income in the United States, one challenge faced by many small business owners is how to deal with retirement for themselves and their employees. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration (2007), there are about 25 million small businesses in the United States and they employ more than 50% of the nation's private workforce and are consistently responsible for creating around 75% of net new jobs. Small businesses have been considered as the economic engine of many American communities but, on the other hand, the accomplishments of small businesses come with challenges and risks. For example, following the discussion about small business health care crisis that has received a lot of publicity in recent years, many scholars and policymakers have pointed out that the United States is facing a small business retirement crisis that may affect far more small business owners and employees (Guard, 2006; Smyth, 2006; Devaney and Chien, 2000).