The biggest fear among almost 48% the nations employees is "outliving their savings," according to a recent
Worse, another 48% think that to stay financially stable after retirement, they will have to work either full or part-time jobs.
"The retirement fears of todays workers are justified," said MetLife Insurances Chief Marketing Officer Beth Hirschhorn. "Most people greatly underestimate the likelihood of living beyond average life expectancy and also underestimate how much money they will need in retirement."
The survey sadly notes that just 4% of employees ages 41-60, or those closest to retirement, are at their retirement goals. Almost as alarming is that 26% of the employees have not planned anything for retirement.
Polling 728 full-time employees age 21 and older and 1,548 benefits executives at companies with at least two employees, MetLife also found out that education classes about retirement savings dropped from 28% in 2002 to 25% in 2003.
Said vice president and head of MetLife Advice Steve Hermann, "This drop is disconcerting considering that many people express interest in having access to investment education offered at the workplace."
