About 40% of workers who leave a job cash out their 401(k) plans each year, according to the Employee Benefit Research Institute. The 401(k) ecosystem would have almost $2 trillion more over a 40-year period if workers didn't cash out their accounts, EBRI estimated. 85% of workers who cash out drain their 401(k)It's not all workers' faultIt's not all workers' fault, though. By law, employers can cash out the small account balances of former employees who leave their 401(k) accounts behind. It's not just workers who benefit: Administrators keep more money in the 401(k) ecosystem, likely padding their profits.

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Persons: Craig Copeland, —, whittle, Spencer Williams, Vanguard Group —, wouldn't, Williams, who's, It's Organizations: Getty, Research, Fidelity Investments, Vanguard Group