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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.