A new report from Fidelity Investments shows that the number of workers who are borrowing from their 401k retirement accounts has reached a 10-year high. Financial experts say that the combination of last effects from the recession, high unemployment and companies cutting back on worker's hours have left workers very unsure of their economic footing.

Boston-based Fidelity has $844 billion in retirement assets under management.

Fidelity also said that 11% of participants took out loans from their 401(k) over the past 12 months, an increase of two percentage points from the prior year. The average loan amount was $8,650 at the end of the second quarter.

The top reasons people took loans and made withdrawals were to prevent foreclosure or eviction, pay for college, or purchase a home, according to the firm.