Participation in and Contributions to 401(k) Pension Plans: Evidence from Plan Data

A-Tier
Journal: Journal of Human Resources
Year: 1995
Volume: 30
Issue: 2

Score contribution per author:

4.022 = (α=2.01 / 1 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

401(k) plans differ from traditional employer-sponsored pension plans in that employees are permitted to make voluntary pre-tax contributions. Hence, the sensitivity of participation and contributions to plan characteristics-notably the employer matching rate-may play a critical role in retirement saving. Using plan level data from Form 5500s filed annually with the Internal Revenue Service, I find that substantial increases occur when an employer moves from a zero to a small or moderately sized match; but that at higher match rates employee contributions fall.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:uwp:jhriss:v:30:y:1995:i:2:p:311-325
Journal Field
Labor
Author Count
1
Added to Database
2026-01-28