Despite the dismal employment outlook, there are signs that employer confidence in their financial situation and in the economy is rising, according to the 12th Annual Transamerica Retirement Survey.

With this uptick in confidence comes a renewed commitment to retirement benefits. For the first time since the recession began, employers are looking to enhance retirement plans, and more are intending to reinstate certain benefits such as matching contributions to 401(k)s.

According to the survey, although the percentage of employers offering matching contributions to their 401(k) or similar plan is consistent with last year's survey (70 percent versus 69 percent the year prior) – the survey found an encouraging sign that 51 percent of companies that recently decreased or suspended the match plan to reinstate it within the next two years.