Are the new jobs paying higher wages and maintaining the same level of benefits and things like 401k’s?
In many cases, yes. But you have to be in a position to take advantage of it - just showing up and doing what you're told isn't going to cut it anymore. Some of it will require some investment in retraining but if you're not lazy that can be done.
Those little new companies like Microsoft, Intel, ChevronTexaco (yeah, it's a merger - that's how Texaco "disappeared"), Costco, Dell, EDS, Cisco, and tons of others seems to pay high wages with great benefits...
Companies come and go, like anything else. I've personally had my own companies (ones that I was the only owner) come and go with markets. It's sad when one goes away, but there's always a new opportunity and a way to step up...