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Employment-Based Retirement Plan Participation: Geographic Differences and Trends, 2008

Participation in employment-based retirement plans decreased by small amounts for most categories of workers in 2008, but those with the strongest connection to the work force experienced the smallest decline: 0.5 percentage point, according to a study released by the EBRI. Additional decreases are possible in 2009–2010, depending on economic trends, the study adds. Press release EBRI Issue Brief Nov 5, 2009 40 pages

'Availability, Contributions, Account Balances, and Rollovers in Account-Based Health Plans, 2006–2009'and'Retirement Plan Participation and Asset Allocation, 2007'

Among the roughly 4 percent of covered Americans who have so-called “consumer-driven” health plans, contributions to the plans by their employers are shifting: Workers with employee-only coverage have seen their annual employer contributions decrease, while those with family coverage have seen their annual employer contributions increase, according to a new survey released by EBRI. Press release EBRI Notes Nov 3, 2009 24 pages

“Debt of the Elderly and Near Elderly, 1992–2007,” and “The Relationship Between Union Status and Employment-Based Health Benefits”

Debt levels of those in or near retirement age are heading up: Among elderly families—and especially among the lower-income elderly—housing debt in particular is rising, according to a new study by EBRI. For some age groups, a significant percentage has debt levels beyond the threshold considered problematic. Press release EBRI Notes Oct 8, 2009 24 pages

401(k) Plan Asset Allocation, Account Balances, and Loan Activity in 2008

American workers who held 401(k) accounts consistently from 2003 through 2008 suffered a 24.3 percent average drop in their account balance during 2008’s bear market, according to a report released today by the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) and the Investment Company Institute (ICI). These consistent participants saw their average account balances increase at an annual rate of 7.2 percent over five years, even after the 2008 losses, according to the study. The account balances include ongoing worker contributions, employer contributions, and investment gains and losses. Press release EBRI Issue Brief Oct 6, 2009 68 pages

‘Trends in Satisfaction and Confidence in Health Care, by Insurance and Health Status: Findings from the 2009 EBRI/MGA Health Confidence Survey,’ and ‘Social Security Reform: How Different Options Might Affect Future Funding’

Uninsured Americans are more likely than individuals with insurance coverage to be dissatisfied with the quality of health care received and they are less confident in various aspects of health care, according to a study published by EBRI. The gap in satisfaction and confidence has also grown over time. Similar differences in satisfaction and confidence are found by health status. Press release

EBRI Notes Sep 9, 2009 20 pages

Individual Account Retirement Plans: An Analysis of the 2007 Survey of Consumer Finances, With Market Adjustments to June 2009

Median asset levels in defined contribution (401(k)) and IRA/Keogh plans dropped at least 15 percent from year-end 2007 to mid-June 2009, reflecting the significant downturn in the economy, according to an analysis of Federal Reserve data published today by the nonpartisan Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI). Press release EBRI Issue Brief Aug 4, 2009 36 pages