Reasons for staying the course

The Employee Benefit Research Institute has released a new study showing that investors who were able to weather the storm of the financial crisis and continue their 401(k) positions have been rewarded with positive returns. According to the report, the average 401(k) account balance for participants consistently participating in their 401(k) plans for the four years from 2007 through 2011 was up 23.5 percent at year-end 2011 compared with year-end 2007, despite the sharp decline caused by the bear market in 2008. The full report can be accessed here.