Hewitt recently released a study which analyzes the quality of participation, plan balances, investment behavior, account activity, and demographics of over 2.7 million employees. The report shows that despite the significant decline in the stock market during 2008, most participants did not change their saving and investment behavior throughout the year.

Key Findings:

■ The average 401(k) participant’s total
plan balance was $57,150 at the end of
2008, declining from $79,570 in 2007.

■ The median rate of return earned by
participants was -28.3 percent across
the universe in 2008. Forty-four percent
of participants had a return lower than
-30 percent.