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And there was plenty of ground to make up. The stock meltdown in 2008 sent the average account balance down to $46,200 by the time the market hit bottom in March 2009. Since then the average balance has risen 10 of 12 quarters, growing a cumulative 61 percent. Typically, about two-thirds of annual increases in 401(k) account balances are the result of workers' added contributions and company matches, with the final third resulting from investment returns. Yet it's been a tough battle in recent years. Workers who have stayed in the market haven't been able to rely on investment gains to build up savings. That's because stocks are nearly 11 percent below their historic peak in October 2007. Instead, workers have had to rely on building their balances largely through ongoing contributions.
[Associated
Press;
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