The savings rate did fall to around 2.5% during the '08 recession, but that is a close as it has been to zero since the great depression. In the newspaper article we are discussing the individual is also saving, in the 401(k). The US personal savings rate published by the BEA is an aggregate economic number and not applicable to individuals, you can not use it to characterize groups across any income level.Savings rate was around zero up till a few years ago. Expenses equaled income roughly speaking. Some saved like us here, others spent more than their income, incurring debt.
Recently that trend has changed, and people on average save around 5% of their incomes now IIRC. Savers probably save more and spenders can't get access to enough credit to offset the savers savings.