Tag: 401k participation

The brief’s key findings are: Progress in the 401(k) system stalled in the wake of the economic crisis, according to the 2010 Survey of Consumer Finances data. Despite an increase in auto-enrollment, the percent of employees not participating ticked up. And 401(k) contributions slipped, while leakages through cash outs, loans, and hardship withdrawals increased. As a result,…

Abstract Economists frequently assume that employees “pay for” employer-provided fringe benefits, such as contributions to retirement plans, in the form of reduced wages. Because low-income employees receive little tax benefit from saving in qualified retirement plans, however, and may prefer immediate consumption to additional retirement accruals, they may not be willing to accept a on…