All employees have a chance to change things for the better, even with small changes, the Hewitt research found. Employees who don't contribute to a 401(k) need to start. Those who do contribute can take the following actions to increase their pool of funds during retirement:

• Work a couple of extra years.
• Save 2 percent more per year. Increasing the contribution level to 10 percent and working until age 67 boosts potential income replacement from 85 percent to 107 percent of final pay.
• Invest smarter. Hewitt suggests using target date funds and diversifying with appropriate risk tolerance. Don't put everything in company stock.
• Pay attention to fees. Younger employees can see up to 6 percent of 401(k)-related retirement income levels eaten up by high fees and costs.