I need to know what most of you are seeing regarding current trends of contributions by Employers. Due to the rising cost of health care and an unstable economy we are seeing Employers backing off of a stated match formula and going with a discretionary amount. Some are even discontinuing their match citing cash flow problems throughout the year..
Does anyone have any numbers or stats as to what new 401k plans are doing and what is happening to ongoing plans?
We have been asked to advise on this matter and I need some backup facts.
Thanks!

If you want to know what's happening in 2003, you've only got anecdotal evidence for now.

However, in 2002, the anecdotal evidence suggested that match cuts or suspensions were commonplace and it wasn't so. Surveys comparing the average match rate in 2002 to the average match rate in 2001 showed no change. Surveys I've read are from Principal (specializes in small plans), New York Life Investment Management (specializes in mid-size plans) and Hewitt (specializes in very large plans).

If you want a negative slant, here's the NYTimes article reprint on a labor site, March 2003 Purely anecdotic, naming a few companies & consultants. I haven't seen convincing evidence either way.


http://www.cwalocal4250.org/news/binarydat...014,%202003.pdf

I haven't tried this (yet), but would there be anything on plansponsor.com?