Employer-sponsored 401(k) plans are becoming more generous. As reported in _USA TODAY_ recently, 36 percent of such plans now offer a 100 percent match on employee contributions. In other words, for every dollar an employee saves in a 401(k) plan, their employer kicks in a dollar as well–usually up to a certain percentage of the employee’s pay. In 2002, just 26 percent of plans offered a 100 percent match.
h3(matt). Matt’s View
p(matt). An employer match is the easiest money you’ll ever make. And yet, according to Hewitt Associates, one-third of eligible employees do not participate in their company’s 401(k) plan. Of those who do, one-fifth fail to save enough to receive their employer’s full match.
p(matt). If you’re not participating in your employer’s plan, contact your human resources department to find out what you need to do to get in the game. Start with one percent of your income if that’s all you can muster for now. And then grow the percentage over time. With the money automatically deposited, you’ll soon find that you don’t even miss the money.
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