November 01, 2012
--- Fifty-six perfect of investors
polled by ING said saving for retirement is harder than running a marathon. ---
Forty-four percent of the 4,050
adults ING surveyed between October 5 and October 13 said a marathon trumps
saving for retirement.
ING conducted the poll on the
eve of the November 4 ING New York City Marathon, the 10th year ING
has been the title sponsor of the marathon. More than half of those surveyed
(53%) said they are only “warming up” when it comes to their retirement, having
only just started saving for retirement. Twelve percent have saved nothing and
are “just watching from the sidelines.”
Nearly a third (32%) think they
are on track, running the retirement race, and only 3% “have crossed the finished
line,” in terms of meeting their retirement goal.
“Whether or not you commit to
running 26.2 miles in life, every American should get into the race when it
comes to their retirement planning,” said Maliz Beams, chief executive officer
of ING U.S. Retirement. Beams compared saving for retirement to running a
marathon in terms of training, being disciplined and having a long-term
strategy. “Short-term goals should also be set,” Beams said, “including
revisiting and tracking your savings and investment plans on a regular basis.”
Steps investors need to make to
warm up for the race begin with participating in a workplace retirement plan
and/or an IRA, ING said. Train regularly, ING added, in terms of regularly
reviewing investments and overall financial fitness.
“Maintain momentum,” ING added,
meaning: Be vigilant and work with a financial adviser.
Lee Barney