Suspensions of 401(k) Match

[Demosthenes]

A quick search of recent news articles has turned up the following list of companies that have suspended their ER match.

Sears http://www.businessinsurance.com/cgi-bin/n...05&id=14914

Motorola http://www.wsbt.com/news/local/37071614.html

Starbucks http://www.wsbt.com/news/local/37071614.html

Fed Ex http://www.wsbt.com/news/local/37071614.html

GM http://www.wsbt.com/news/local/37071614.html

Ford http://www.wsbt.com/news/local/37071614.html

NCR http://www.wsbt.com/news/local/37071614.html

GateHouse Media http://www.planadviser.com/investing/article.php/3436

Denver Post http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/...29/daily19.html

Eastman Kodak http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/21/your-mon...1retire.html?hp

Resorts International http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/21/your-mon...1retire.html?hp

Unisys http://www.usnews.com/blogs/planning-to-re...401k-match.html

Is this just media hype, some high profile companies that make for a good sound byte or half column article, or are folks seeing the same thing in their practices?

Trying to determine if the trend is widespread enough to justify an attempt to study and quantify the effects of reduced in flows on various market sectors. I'm also wondering how many of these Companies eliminated DB plans and swapped in a 401(k) or enhanced 401(k) plan, in order to soften the blow.

[J Simmons]

I am seeing ERs shy away from fixed contribution obligations, whether in making fixed 401k match now discretionary, not giving 401k safe harbor notices for 2009 (or wanting to withdraw them), and being more hesitant re SIMPLE plans.