401(k) biz brisk despite economy

Despite the economic downturn, demand for small-business 401(k) plans remains strong, according to ShareBuilder Advisors LLC.
During the first quarter, sales of 401(k) plans for businesses that employ fewer than 100 people jumped 116% year-over-year, despite a slowing economy. Also more than half the plans were sold to one-person businesses, with the remainder sold to businesses with between 2 and 99 employees.
ShareBuilder of Bellevue, Wash., attributed the rise in sales to the increasing ease with which a company can set up a 401(k) retirement plan for its employees, as well as the tax incentives to do so.