Worker participation in employment-based retirement plans has stabilized, according to a new report by the Employee Benefit Research Institute.

In 2011, 39.7 percent of workers participated in an employment-based retirement plan, compared to 39.8 percent in 2010 and 39.6 percent in 2009.

"The increase in the number of workers participating in 2011 halted the three year decline from 2008–2010," said Craig Copeland, senior research associated at EBRI and author of the report. "The downturns in the economy and stock market in 2008 and into 2009 showed a two-year decline in both the number and percentage of workers participating in an employment-based retirement plan. The 2010 and 2011 participation levels stabilized as the economy recovered."