Excerpt: Unfortunately a one-two punch thrown by well-meaning consumer advocates and desperate corporations has worsened an already bad situation. First, as a way to save too-cautious investors from themselves, in 2007 and 2008 some plans changed the default investment from a money market fund to an age-appropriate mix of stocks and bonds. Which then proceeded to tank. Second, a growing number of companies (see the list above and to the right [on the target page]) are eliminating or curtailing the employer match entirely. Doing so when stock prices are low is particularly harmful because it makes it that much harder for investors to recoup losses.

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