Data & Research

The quarterly "Schwab Survey of Investor Confidence" shows clear signs that investor confidence improved at the end of 2010.  

Over the past two years, the youngest generation in the workforce has become more engaged in learning about the benefits available to them, according to Unum.

The Center for a Secure Retirement (CSR) found that 51% of middle-income Americans (annual income between $25,000 and $75,000) have not been approached or contacted by a professional...

Towers Watson took an in-depth look at defined contribution (DC) plans among Fortune 100 companies, focusing on plan design and investment options.

A LIMRA study found defined contribution plan participation and deferral rates are nearly identical for women and men, yet women's totals are falling short.

Wells Fargo published its sixth annual Retirement Survey and spoke with middle-income women spanning all ages; the survey found retirement is the number-one issue they want to learn...

Schwab Advisor Services released its industry-wide registered investment adviser (RIA) mergers and acquisitions transaction report, which found there were 109 deals in 2010.   

Bank of America Merrill Lynch’s quarterly “401(k) Contribution Activities Scorecard” shows plan sponsor adoption and participant utilization of advice services continued to grow in 2010. 

Sixty-two percent of investors changed their approach to investing in the aftermath of the 2008-2009 economic recession, according to a TD Ameritrade survey.

The Merrill Lynch “Affluent Insights Quarterly” survey shows that although 66% of affluent investors know conservative investing will help them avoid losing money in turbulent times, only 25%...

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) is projecting Social Security will run deficits every year until its funds are eventually drained in about 2037.

As the economy gradually recovers, some workers are feeling more comfortable about retiring now, compared to this time last year, according to a CareerBuilder survey.

The Wells Fargo/Gallup Small-Business Index found nearly two-thirds (64%) of respondents said they worry about putting enough money away for retirement.

A MetLife study set out to assess how plan sponsors are balancing "retirement savings" and "retirement income" in their plan design; MetLife found most are still focusing on...

An Aon Hewitt survey reveals that just 38% of employers are confident that workers are taking accountability for their financial future, down from 43% in 2010.

The State Street Investor Confidence Index shows investor confidence fell 3.3 points globally from December to January.

Bankrate’s January "Financial Security Index" poll finds many Americans feel less comfortable with their finances now than they did 12 months ago.

The percentage of investors that own exchange-traded funds (ETFs) has increased, while the percentage owning mutual funds has decreased over the past four years, according to a recent Cogent Research...

The "mass affluent," Americans between ages 35-54 years old with $50,000-$250,000 of investable assets, show a noteworthy lack of confidence in financial well-being.

The SPARK Institute released a draft of updates it intends to make regarding information-sharing best practices for 403(b) plans and has asked for comments.