Millennial Workers Eager to Increase Retirement Preparedness

Millennials, the youngest generation in the workforce today, are highly motivated to save for retirement and would plan ahead if they knew more about retirement benefit options from their employers, according to a new study released today by Prudential Retirement, a business unit of Prudential Financial Inc.

According to Prudential’s latest study, titled “Younger Workers and Retirement,” these consumers, recognize that contributing to their retirement is a must, even in an economic recession. In fact, 83 percent say that seeing what can happen to people who don’t save enough for retirement makes them want to save more.

“Our research dispels the myth that millennial workers don’t care about preparing for retirement,” said George Castineiras, SVP of Total Retirement Solutions. “Saving for retirement ranks highly in this generation’s list of financial priorities and we are encouraged that these younger workers are taking responsibility for their future.”

Yet the problems of incentive and education persist.

The study presented Millennial workers with a quiz and offered them the opportunity to grade their workplace retirement plan’s education, tools and information. According to Prudential, the results demonstrate that Millennial workers prioritize saving for retirement ahead of leisure spending, saving for vacation or a house. At the same time, however, the study reveals clear gaps in millennial workers’ overall knowledge about retirement planning, as well as deficiencies in tools available to them to help them with it.

Overall the study discovered that, although millennial workers understand retirement planning as a concept, they also perceive their employer-sponsored plans as complex and overwhelming. The Prudential survey suggests more rewarding experiences, as well as interactive, retirement-focused educational solutions, would motivate Millennial workers to contribute more to their retirement savings.

“This population of workers readily adopts new and emerging technologies and therefore it is important for plan sponsors to find ways to motivate these workers and keep them engaged in their retirement planning with personalized, high-tech solutions that they find compelling,” continued Castineiras.

The survey received completed responses from 800 employed U.S. consumers between the ages of 21 and 29 who are eligible to enroll in their employer-sponsored defined contribution plan.

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