2009 Issue Briefs

Some investors in target-date funds, a rapidly growing option in 401(k) retirement plans, apparently do not understand the purpose of the funds and could end up with a potentially inferior portfolio in terms of risk/return tradeoff, according to a new study by EBRI. Press release EBRI Notes Dec 3, 2009 16 pages

Individuals in consumer-driven health plans (CDHPs) are more likely than those with traditional coverage to exhibit a number of cost-conscious behaviors, to be more engaged in wellness programs, and to be more inclined to think that financial incentives matter in holding down costs, according to a new survey by EBRI. At the same time, the fifth annual survey found that satisfaction levels for individuals in traditional health plans were higher again this year than for those in consumer-driven plans. EBRI Issue Brief Dec 1, 2009 44 pages

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

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 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

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

Although employment-based health insurance remains the most common form of health insurance coverage in the United States, the most recent data show it continues to slowly erode—and current trends indicate it will continue doing so, according a new analysis by EBRI. Press release EBRI Issue Brief Sep 21, 2009 36 pages

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

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

Adults ages 55–64 were one of two groups—the other was children—most likely to have health insurance coverage in 2007, according to a study of the older age group released today by EBRI. Press release EBRI Notes Aug 1, 2009 16 pages

This Issue Brief presents recently available longitudinal data from the EBRI/ICI 401(k) database on consistent participation in a 401(k) plan, through year-end 2007. Looking at consistent participants in the EBRI/ICI 401(k) database over the eight-year period from 1999 to 2007, the average 401(k) account balance increased at an annual growth rate of 9.5 percent over the period, to $137,430 at year-end 2007. The median 401(k) account balance (half above, half below) increased at an annual growth rate of 15.2 percent over the period, to $76,946 at year-end 2007. Data for 2008 are currently being analyzed and are expected to be published later this year. EBRI Issue Brief Jul 14, 2009 16 pages

This article examines workers’ decisions to a take a lump-sum distribution—a one-time payment—from an employment-based retirement plan when changing jobs, while remaining in the labor force. It builds on earlier, top-line data from the 2004 Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP). This study provides estimates of the percentage of workers changing jobs and leaving their assets in their former employers’ plan, compares the standard of living of individuals age 55 or older with that of their early 50s, and assesses how the current near-elderly and elderly have fared after making a lump-sum decision. Press release EBRI Notes Jul 7, 2009 20 pages

As Congress prepares to debate a major overhaul of the nation’s health care system, Americans already have formed opinions in support of several proposals to expand coverage that have been part of the preliminary discussion, according to the 12th annual Health Confidence Survey. But attitudes could change as the public learns more about the details. EBRI Issue Brief Jul 1, 2009 20 pages

EBRI has published a newly updated set of estimates of the amount of money individuals and couples will need to cover certain health care expenses in retirement. The new estimates attempt to provide current information to allow men, women, and couples deal with the financial consequences of longevity and investment risk, as well as the various types of medical care coverage available when they reach age 65. Press release EBRI Notes Jun 10, 2009 20 pages

A key element being discussed as part of health reform—the creation of a health insurance exchange that would offer new forms of insurance pooling, combined with an individual mandate and guaranteed issue—would restructure the health insurance market and has major implications for the existing employment-based benefits system that provides the majority of Americans with health coverage, according to a new study by EBRI. EBRI Issue Brief Jun 9, 2009 24 pages

A new EBRI study of target-date fund investments explores whether plan demographic characteristics would affect individual participant contribution rates and target-date fund investments for participants in relation to plan demographics by considering target replacement income and its success rate. EBRI Issue Brief May 28, 2009 44 pages

Many Americans support the use of lower cost sharing as an incentive to change the way individuals use the health care system in order to reduce costs, according to survey data published today by EBRI. Press release EBRI Notes May 5, 2009 24 pages

The recession has cast a pall over the retirement expectations of the vast majority of Americans, leaving a record-low 13 percent this year able to say they are very confident of having enough money to live comfortably in retirement, according to the 19th Annual Retirement Confidence Survey (RCS) released today by EBRI. Among workers, those feeling very confident about retirement has tumbled by one-half in the last two years. EBRI Issue Brief Apr 14, 2009 24 pages

This article reviews actual public pension plan contribution behavior from 2001 to 2006, pension asset allocations from 2003 to 2007, and the effect that investment performance has on employer contribution volatility.  Press release EBRI Notes Apr 9, 2009 12 pages

This article summarizes EBRI’s December 2008 policy forum on the “Outlook for Consumer/Patient Engagement in Health Care—30 Years into the Experiment,” which took a detailed look at consumer-directed health plans and related issues. Press release EBRI Notes Mar 12, 2009 12 pages