SAVINGS PLANS Participation


September 25, 2003 at 12:00a.m.


The Principal Financial Group's annual survey of the 401(k) plans it manages indicates that workers and their employers still believe in the plans:
Participation rose 2 percent in 2002 from 2001.
Individuals' savings rate increased to 6.5 percent of salary from 6.3 percent.
Employer discretionary matches rose to 36 cents on the dollar from 35 cents, while fixed match programs held at 37 cents on the dollar.