"[Recent] reports on 401(k) ... discuss that the average company match was about $3,540. Average of what companies? Average of which employees' contributions? ... Most also mention this amount is $1,000 more than 10 years ago without mentioning 'why'. Could it be that people are paid more than a decade ago? Maybe the companies in the survey offer better 401(k)s now, but have cut short-term incentives, long-term incentives or other benefits.... Only after reading multiple articles do we learn that Fidelity reports that the average employer contribution is currently 4.3% per year vs. 4.0% in 2006. So, no big change there."  MORE >>