WARNING SIGNS How to spot 401(k) trouble

Your 401(k) or individual account statement is consistently late or comes at irregular intervals.Your account balance appears to be inaccurate.Your employer fails to transmit your contribution to the plan on a timely basis.There is a significant drop in the account balance that cannot be explained by normal market ups and downs.Your 401(k) or individual account statement shows your contribution from your paycheck was not made.Investments listed on your statement are not what you authorized.Former employees are having trouble getting their benefits paid on time or in the correct amounts.There are unusual transactions, such as a loan to the employer, a corporate officer, or a plan trustee.There are frequent and unexplained changes in investment managers or consultants.Your employer has recently experienced severe financial difficulty.
Source: Knight Ridder/Tribune Information Services