In Practice

At year end 2016, the percentage of participants with an outstanding loan balance was 17.0%, compared with 17.4% at year end 2015.

A new report by the Spectrem Group finds that several Americans lack confidence in saving properly for retirement, with the most concerned belonging to the Baby Boomer generation. 

Achieving retirement aspirations requires more than saving, investing and planning, it also depends on staying in good health, a survey report notes.

The use of automatic features has also benefited participants, Vanguard says.

Investors understand the value of getting financial advice; 76% of those polled say a financial adviser can help them achieve their financial goals.

Men are more concerned about short-term volatility than women.

Ninety-nine percent believe they have a responsibility to help their employees prepare for retirement.

Women with children are much more likely than men to see job disruptions and a loss in retirement savings, warns a new MFS survey. 

Longevity, lower investment returns, and inadequate savings are contributing to a growing shortfall in what individuals will need for a longer retirement, a report says.

One-quarter of people in the 18 to 29 age bracket are planning on drawing down from Social Security in their retirement.

There has been at least $1 billion worth of U.S. single premium pension buyout sales during each of the last eight quarters.

Of the more than half of Americans who don’t receive professional financial advice, 45% say it’s due to a lack of confidence.

As people age, the percentage dissatisfied with their approach to retirement, in terms of timeliness, increases.

Nineteen percent of investors polled don’t save at least 10% for retirement, and say doing so would not be easy, and another 19% do not have an emergency...

The debt is also preventing them from buying a home or starting a family.

Millennials are saving more to keep experiencing the lifestyle they want even if it means working for the rest of their lives. 

The lack of retirement savings could in part be due to prioritizing short-term financial considerations, a survey suggests..

Those who have received an inheritance have more positive feelings about retirement.

Outside of Social Security benefits, Americans are looking to 401(k)s and IRAs to fund most of their retirement.

Despite retirement industry suggestions that Americans should draw down less income in retirement, a paper suggests older Americans are not spending enough to live their retirement dreams.