401(k) Investing Differences and Race

Read a study of 401(k) plan investing and race by Alicia Munnel and Christopher Sullivan at Boston College's Center for Retirement Research, here.
From the introduction:
"Many data sources show a disparity among racial and ethnic groups regarding participation in and contributions to 401(k) plans. White workers participate at a higher rate and contribute a higher percentage than African American and Hispanic workers. However, few studies have explored whether these differences persist once other factors expected to impact these decisions are taken into consideration. One recent study by Ariel/Hewitt using client data found lower participation and contributions rates in 401(k)plans for African Americans and Hispanics than for Whites, even after controlling for age, tenure, and earnings. The question is whether racial and ethnic differentials remain after controlling for a broader array of factors included in a nationally representative sample of households, the Federal Reserve’s Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF)."