Hewitt Associates, Harvard University and the University of Pennsylvania worked together on a study recently to figure out why people don’t invest in their 401k plans at work. Hundreds of thousands of people who have access to 401k plans at their companies don’t invest. And that includes companies that match money at least some of the money put in. Clark doesn’t understand why people would choose not to put money into these accounts, especially when the company is giving them free money. The reasons people don’t invest are vast and numerous. They include the following: 1) they are paying down debt first, 2) they plan not to stay with the company very long, 3) they are simply procrastinating, 3) they are confused by the process, and 4) fear of government corruption and corporate scandals. Yes there have been rotten apples in the barrel, but in general 401k plans are very safe. And it doesn’t matter if you’re not planning to stay in a job long. You can take the money with you when you leave! You can guarantee your retirement will be paid for if you just put some money away. The younger you start, the better. And remember that the amount of 401k money you want in company stock is ZERO!