Is the Mattress a Good Place for Money?


 

Publication Date: September 2009

Publisher: National Center for Policy Analysis (U.S.)

Author(s): Pamela Villarreal

Research Area: Economics

Keywords: stock market

Type: Brief

Coverage: United States

Abstract:

In fall 2008, the stock market suffered a severe decline. Fear prompted a number of individuals to suspend contributions to their 401(k) retirement accounts. They reasoned that holding the money and having it retain its face value was preferable to putting it in a money-losing investment. Even employees who were invested in bonds, rather than equities, stopped contributing. Some companies temporarily suspended their matching contributions.