401(k)s now

The Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) and Investment Company Institute (ICI) have collaborated since 1996 in developing a comprehensive database on 401(k) participants, including information on demographic, contribution, asset allocation, and loan and withdrawal activity. EBRI's website on the Defined Contribution and Participant Behavior Research Program lists its research in this area. Using this data, EBRI recently presented testimony before the House Education and Labor Committee on The Impact of the Financial Crisis on Workers’ Retirement Security (pdf, 26pp/232kB), Oct. 7, 2008. Graphic data on 401(k) balances and changes due to market volatility are provided to Nov. 26, 2008.

According to its website, ICI is the national association of U.S. investment companies, and "seeks to encourage adherence to high ethical standards, promote public understanding, and otherwise advance the interests of funds, their shareholders, directors, and advisers."