Nearly a third, 30%, have either stopped saving for retirement or cut back on their contributions, and a full 28% haven’t even started saving for retirement in the first place.
More startling, perhaps, 27% said saving money under their mattress is the safest place to put it.
As for saving for their children’s college education, 25% have either reduced or stopped saving, and 44% haven’t started at all.
Forty-seven percent of those not yet retired say the economy has had an impact on their retirement savings habits. Among those still saving, 20% said they have had to cut back on other areas in order to continue to afford to save.
“Given the gut-wrenching events and market volatility of late summer, consumers are questioning traditional retirement savings vehicles and changing their savings habits,” said Katie Libbe, vice president of consumer insights at Allianz Life. “Recent events have only deepened the uncertainty many have felt about retirement since the market meltdown of 2008 when the average 401(k) account balance lost nearly 30% of its value.
“The toll taken by recent economic volatility has yet to be fully calculated, but one thing is certain,” Libbe continued. “It has directly impacted how people are approaching saving for retirement and college.”
-- This article first appeared on Money Management Executive.
