BOSTON - (Business Wire) Fidelity Investments
® and National Financial
® today released new research on Individual Retirement Account (IRA) ownership which shows that, despite 2007 being a year of financial and economic fluctuation, six out of 10 IRA owners (60 percent) either have already made a contribution to their IRA for 2007, or are planning to do so before the April 15, 2008 deadline.
The survey found that one-third (32 percent) of respondents who are saving for retirement also increased the amount they are saving in their IRA over the last 12 months. This shows that many investors are not allowing issues such as stock market volatility, the real estate market decline or rising oil and gas prices to alter their retirement savings practices.
In addition, 62 percent of IRA owners (and 46 percent of Americans overall) have taken investment action in the past year to better prepare for retirement, either through increasing their IRA contributions, changing their asset allocation, consolidating accounts or starting an automatic withdrawal plan.
“In a year where economic and financial issues have been at the forefront, it’s very encouraging to see investors still focused on retirement and taking steps to save more and invest properly,” said John Ragnoni, senior vice president of retirement products, Fidelity Investments Personal and Workplace Investing. “For the second year in a row, our research shows that Americans’ top concern is whether or not they will be able to save enough money to live comfortably throughout their retirement years.”
Brokers and Advisors Play Important Role
According to the research, which surveyed approximately 1,000 Americans (approximately 500 IRA owners and 500 non-IRA owners), investors working with an advisor were more apt to open, contribute to or consider IRAs as part of their retirement readiness program.
- Seventy-one percent of Americans who work with an advisor own at least one IRA, compared to 41 percent of all Americans.
- One out of two Americans who spoke with an advisor last year discussed an IRA. Eight in 10 (81 percent) report that the advisor made an IRA-related recommendation to them, whether it was to open, roll over or contribute. And of those who received IRA-related guidance, 80 percent followed their advisor’s recommendation.
- IRA owners who work with an advisor are slightly more likely to make a contribution for the 2007 tax year when compared to all IRA owners (65 percent vs. 60 percent).
- Additionally, three-quarters (74 percent) of IRA owners who work with an advisor indicated they had taken some action over the past year to better prepare for retirement, as compared to 62 percent of all IRA owners.
“Saving for retirement remains one of the most important financial goals for Americans, yet there are still a significant percentage not investing in an IRA. This could affect their ability to accumulate enough money for a comfortable retirement,” said Jody Meth, executive vice president, National Financial. “Advisors can play an integral role in helping clients maximize their retirement savings by educating them about the benefits associated with each type of IRA and the critical role these tax-advantaged accounts play in a holistic financial plan.”
American IRA Behaviors and Attitudes by Age
When viewed by age group, the research provides additional insights into investors’ retirement savings behaviors and attitudes. It shows that IRA ownership climbs steadily with age – from 32 percent of Americans in their 30s to 57 percent of those in their early 60s -- with Roth IRA ownership highest among those in their 30s.
Americans of all ages need to be planning more for retirement, with only 32 percent of pre-retirees in their early 60s indicating they have a detailed plan. That number decreases to roughly 20 percent for 40- and 50-year olds and 14 percent for 30-year olds.
Natural differences emerged in the study among age groups around the topics of Social Security, reliance on workplace savings plans, current financial challenges and personal debt. Below is a general profile of investors by age break:
- Investors in Their 30s: More likely to own a Roth IRA and be invested in a lifecycle fund; worried about personal debt and paying for children’s education; relying on Social Security as top source of income in retirement, but fear it may not be around when needed.
- Investors in Their 40s: More likely than those in their 30s to have a rollover IRA; seek ways to minimize personal tax burden; many still hopeful for, but not counting on, some sort of pension; struggling to make ends meet financially.
- Investors in Their 50s: Own a traditional IRA; generally more confident that their investments are diversified; more concerned today about saving for retirement than making ends meet financially.
- Investors in Their early 60s: Highest IRA ownership; most likely to have spoken to and completed a plan with an advisor; better understanding of tax law; less concerned with Social Security, but very concerned about the high cost of healthcare.
The following chart provides additional insights into the findings by age group:
| IRA Attitudes & Behaviors by Age Group |
| | | 30s | | 40s | | 50s | | Pre-ret. (60-64) |
| | | (%) | | (%) | | (%) | | (%) |
| Spoke with an advisor during the past few years | | 20 | | 25 | | 30 | | 43 |
| IRA ownership | | 32 | | 39 | | 46 | | 57 |
| - Own Roth IRA | | 60 | | 50 | | 37 | | 44 |
| - Own rollover IRA | | 18 | | 38 | | 34 | | 40 |
| - Own traditional IRA | | 38 | | 48 | | 66 | | 68 |
| Seek ways to minimize tax burden | | 55 | | 58 | | 55 | | 71 |
| Concerned about level of debt | | 61 | | 47 | | 41 | | 33 |
| Well informed about tax law | | 26 | | 29 | | 32 | | 35 |
| Wish they could save more for retirement | | 81 | | 76 | | 79 | | 60 |
| Concerned Social Security will not be around when needed | | 82 | | 74 | | 58 | | 35 |
| Top three source of income: Social Security | | 74 | | 75 | | 84 | | 80 |
| Top three source of income: Defined contribution/workplace savings plan | | 74 | | 69 | | 61 | | 43 |
| Top three source of income: IRA | | 54 | | 44 | | 47 | | 47 |
| Top three source of income: Pension plan | | 34 | | 47 | | 49 | | 59 |
| Tend to spend rather than save for future | | 44 | | 35 | | 28 | | 20 |
| Debt prevents from saving for retirement | | 56 | | 39 | | 34 | | 26 |
| IRA invested in lifecycle funds | | 12 | | 6 | | 9 | | 9 |
| - If no lifecycle funds, don’t know if available for their account | | 54 | | 56 | | 57 | | 43 |
| Confident savings sufficiently diversified | | 35 | | 43 | | 46 | | 52 |
| Have a detailed plan | | 14 | | 21 | | 20 | | 32 |
| Top concern today: Higher health costs | | 29 | | 42 | | 55 | | 65 |
| Top concern today: Saving enough for a comfortable retirement | | 62 | | 61 | | 63 | | 44 |
| Top concern today: Making ends meet financially | | 48 | | 47 | | 39 | | 30 |
| Top concern today: Paying for child’s education | | 40 | | 28 | | 12 | | 7 |
“While attitudes and behaviors may vary across age groups, one thing is consistent: Americans of all ages wish they were saving more for retirement,” said Ragnoni. “For many investors – particularly those in their 30s and 40s – now is the time to do so, since they are in strong earning years with sufficient time to benefit from several decades of compound growth.”
Fidelity has a variety of free resources and planning tools to help investors of all ages prepare for retirement, whether they want to invest on their own, work with a Fidelity representative or have Fidelity professionally manage their assets for them. For additional information, they can visit Fidelity’s new IRA center at www.Fidelity.com/IRA, call 1-800-FIDELITY or visit one of Fidelity’s more than 120 Investor Centers nationwide.
National Financial offers brokers and advisors a broad range of sales resources designed to help them strengthen their knowledge of the IRA opportunity and more effectively plan for their clients’ retirement. Brokers and advisors can learn more about National Financial’s offerings by visiting www.nationalfinancial.com or calling 1-800-752-7053.
About the Study
Fidelity Investments and National Financial conducted this IRA study to examine how Americans perceive IRA vehicles within the context of general retirement savings, and how those attitudes impact or are associated with IRA ownership and usage. Interviews were conducted online between November 19-29, 2007 by Northstar Research Partners, an independent research firm, with a national sample of approximately 500 IRA owners and 500 non-owners who meet the following criteria: primary or joint decision-maker for investments; household income of $40k or more; age 25 to 64; and not retired.
About Fidelity Investments
Fidelity Investments is one of the world's largest providers of financial services, with custodied assets of $3.4 trillion, including managed assets of $1.6 trillion as of December 31, 2007. Fidelity offers investment management, retirement planning, brokerage, and human resources and benefits outsourcing services to 24 million individuals and institutions as well as through 5,500 financial intermediary firms. The firm is the largest mutual fund company in the United States, the No. 1 provider of workplace retirement savings plans, the largest mutual fund supermarket and a leading online brokerage firm. For more information about Fidelity Investments, visit www.fidelity.com.
About National Financial
National Financial, a Fidelity Investments company, offers Integrated Brokerage Solutions® to over 330 clients ranging from retail broker/dealers to institutional investment firms. Collectively, National Financial’s clients have more than 85,000 brokers. As of December 31, 2007, National Financial custodied over $709 billion in assets, representing 5.6 million accounts. Integrated Brokerage Solutions incorporates innovative technology, products and programs, supported by dedicated client service professionals and trusted industry partners. This holistic, solutions-oriented approach is designed to help client firms attain competitive advantage by driving growth, creating efficiency and managing risk. For more information about National Financial and Integrated Brokerage Solutions, please visit www.nationalfinancial.com.
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