Head of the class: PSCA honors employers for A+ 401(k) education

"Workers were saying, 'I am hearing this scary economic news and trying to figure out: What does it mean if I am 25-year-old or 45-year-old investor?'" explains Bill Stappenbeck, senior director of employee communication. The company, which employs fewer than 5,000 workers, makes a 50% match on the first 6% of what an employee contributes. The company scheduled FHW to take place in September 2008, capitalizing on the presidential campaign with the theme "Decision 401(k)." At the worksite, employees saw signs that resembled political campaign posters that voters place in their front yard. "People don't want to think about retirement readiness in tough economic times, and younger people tend not want to think about it at all," says Stappenbeck. Therefore, "you need to look at creative and compelling ways to engage people on a subject that they might not gravitate toward naturally."