Some employers have ratcheted down or eliminated some matching 401(k) contributions for employees during the latest recession.
Some of these moves, fortunately, may only be temporary at some companies.
Fidelity Investments conducted a client webinar June 4 and discovered that 9.6% of the 302 participating employers reported that they have reduced or suspended the match.
However, according to Fidelity, 55% of those employers have active plans to reinstate the match.
To be sure, many employers have not suspended the 401(k) match that they currently offer.
Overall, the trend isn't to cut matching contributions, according to Dave Stinnett, head of strategic retirement consulting for Vanguard's Institutional Investor Group. "They are cutting back on employee benefits only as a last resort," he said.
Vanguard has been providing more low-cost advice programs, such as its new Digital Advisor product, as part of 401(k) plans. The automated service addresses helping younger consumers and others tackle a variety of financial planning challenges.
Given the expected volatility on Wall Street, many expect that consumers may want some more advice on how to handle their money.