HR Management & Compliance

401(k)s Under Assault — What Are Best Employers Doing?

By BLR Founder and CEO Bob Brady

401(k)s — whipsawed by the market and threatened by company budget crises. Every employer — and every employee — is concerned. So what are companies doing? Let’s find out what’s happening in the real world.

For years, BLR® has surveyed HR and benefits professionals to find trends in benefits. We appreciate your participation in our monthly series of brief, targeted benefits surveys. Today’s survey topic: 401(k) Plans. (We’ll publish the results in a future issue.)

Please participate in this brief survey and we’ll determine just how employers are handling their 401(k)s in this difficult period. We’ll get answer to questions like these:

  • Has your company reduced or suspended its 401(k) match in response to the recession? Are you planning to reinstate?
  • What is the maximum percentage of earnings an employee may contribute to the 401(k) plan?
  • What is the maximum percentage of earnings against which your company will make a matching contribution?
  • Does your 401(k)plan allow employees to take a loan against the plan?
  • Are employees allowed to add “cash-outs” of unused vacation or sick time to their 401(k) accounts?
  • How many investment options does your 401(k) plan offer?

Find out what the buzz is all about. Take a no-cost look at HR.BLR.com, solve your top problem, and get a complimentary gift.


Please take this brief survey and see how your existing practices and future plans stack up against those of the country’s most successful companies. The survey takes only a few minutes to complete, and it will help you stay on top of your industry and keep your organization competitive.

Complete the 401(k) Survey now

By sharing your insight, opinions, and experience, you’ll help us highlight trends and define benchmarks — by industry, geographic location, and size of employer — that will inform your decision-making for the coming year. At the same time, you’ll find out how your fellow HR professionals are handling tricky benefits challenges, and you’ll be able to compare your practices with those of your competitors.

Complete the 401(k) Survey now


HR budget cuts? Let us help. HR.BLR.com is your one-stop solution for all your HR compliance and training needs. Take a no-cost, no-obligation trial and get a complimentary copy of our special report Critical HR Recordkeeping — From Hiring to Termination. It’s yours — no matter what you decide.


Rest assured that all responses are confidential, and only aggregate findings will be published. All respondents will receive a report of the results.

Thank you for your valued input. We’ll report on the results in a future issue.

Robert Brady,
CEO, Business and Legal Resources

P.S. Here are some upcoming employee benefits surveys:

  • Benefits for Part-Time Employees
  • Profit-Sharing and Bonuses
  • Voluntary Benefits
  • Nontraditional Benefits
  • Relocation and Business Travel

Complete the 401(k) Survey now

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