September 17, 2012
--- Affluent consumer confidence rose in a recent survey by
Phoenix Marketing International, which showed an uptick in those saying that
economic conditions have improved. ---
In May, when the survey was conducted, 47% of respondents felt
optimistic about being able to retire when they had planned. Last November,
when the previous survey was conducted, 38% of respondents expressed confidence
in their ability to retire on track.
Fewer than half the respondents in May (44%) said the
economic environment had had a negative impact on their lives, a dip from the
50% expressing this sentiment in November.
Other indications that confidence in the economy is growing are
fewer investors agreeing that “the recession of 2008
never really came to an end for people like me” (22% vs. 35% in November) and “America’s
quality of life will be negatively affected by the recent financial crisis for
the long term” (44% vs. 56% in November).
“Our findings show the consequence of investor perception of
an improved economic climate translates very quickly to a shift in investment
strategy anticipated in the next six months,” said John Duggan, vice president
for sales and marketing at Phoenix. Fewer pre-retirees are planning to hold
steady or make no changes (24% vs. 31% in November), and fewer said they would
increase the rate of personal savings (26% vs. 32% in the previous survey).
Individual investors in the U.S. age 35 to 64 with $100,000
or more in household income and investable assets, excluding 401(k) or similar
employer-managed plans, were surveyed. The biannual Phoenix study has been
conducted since November 2009.
Jill Cornfield