DES MOINES, Iowa During the economic downturn, employees felt the impact of cutbacks in hiring, raises - and in the disappearance of company contributions to their 401(k) plans.

The first wave of reductions in 401(k) retirement savings plans began in 2008. The number of employers lowering or suspending their contributions accelerated in the first half of 2009 as the stock market fell to its lowest point after the financial meltdown.

In new research released Wednesday, business consultant Towers Watson analyzed 260 mid- to large-sized companies. The report shows that 75 percent of those firms that took the step to cut costs in their retirement plans have resumed making 401(k) contributions. Among those:

About 74 percent are continuing payments at the previous level.

About 23 percent resumed making contributions to their employees' accounts, but at a lower rate. Among these companies, the new contribution level was slightly more than half of the original amount.

Just 3 percent resumed contributions at a higher rate; however, in all but one case the increase was associated with the company freezing or ending its pension plan. The higher amount was intended to make up for some lost pension-plan benefits.

"It's encouraging that employers are reinstating the match and are still committed to helping people save for retirement," said Robyn Credico, a senior retirement consultant at Towers Watson.

Companies also have an interest in encouraging workers to save enough. The stock market's impact on retirement savings has meant many workers are forced to stay on the job rather than retire. And that's not always in an employer's best interest, Credico said, because those workers may remain because they have to, not because they want to.

Employer matching contributions are a strong enticement to save for retirement.

A study by the Profit Sharing/401(k) Council of America, a Chicago-based trade group, indicated in 2009 that nearly 73 percent of 401(k) plan sponsors that suspended matching contributions in the recent recession experienced a drop in participation.

Most employers match 50 percent of employees' salary deferrals, up to 6 percent of pay, which amounts to a match of about 3 percent of pay. Companies save 1 to 2 percent of their payroll costs by cutting the 401(k) match.