Data & Research

Defined contribution plans using automatic enrollment increased plan participation rates by nearly 30%, according to a study, but the contribution rate at enrollment is too low.

Working Americans are a lot less confident about their retirement prospects, according to a new report. 

Fidelity Investments' fourth Millionaire Outlook survey reveals 42% of millionaires do not feel wealthy, compared to 46% who said they didn’t feel wealthy in 2009.

Merrill Lynch hosted a Webcast this week called, “It’s Your Future: What Young Americans Need to Know About Retirement,” hosted by former ABC News anchor, Charles Gibson.  

Perhaps it’s because they’re less likely to have a mortgage or other financial burdens, but Gen Y defines “financial success” as putting money aside for long-term goals, whereas...

Forty percent of millionaires expect a call-back from their financial adviser within two hours, according to Spectrem Group's “Millionaire Investor 2010” survey.

An AARP survey of African Americans in New York, age 50 and older, found that 49% will delay retirement if the economy does not improve.

While nearly half (48%) of workers are aware of the amount of money they need to set aside to comfortably retire, less than a third (30%) believe they...

A public opinion research report indicates Americans think the recession revealed the flaws in the current retirement plan landscape and the government should make it easier for employers...

Charles Schwab's latest independent investment adviser survey found 56% of advisers classify themselves as “bulls,” while only 10% see themselves as “bears.” 

Investment consultants, expecting lower capital market returns and more volatility, support broader asset diversification and custom target-date strategies for defined contribution plans.

Confidence in investment decisions among women is much lower than men and the gap is widening, a MassMutual poll of retirement plan participants found. 

Wells Fargo and Gallup have released their Investor and Retirement Optimism Index, which shows retired Americans are twice as optimistic as the non-retired.

The Center for Retirement Research at Boston College found that customized advice for pre-retirees can help them take smarter actions.

Seventy-two percent of pre-retirees and 55% of retirees are calculating the effects of inflation on their retirement planning, according to the Society of Actuaries (SOA).

An Aviva survey found more than half of Americans expect to work past their expected retirement age; giving the U.S. the highest percentage out of ten countries surveyed. 

Client-facing professionals (brokers, advisers, agents, and bankers) are the most trusted source of information in the financial services industry, according to a recent survey.  

A national survey found that more Americans are "very concerned" about the impact of the recession on their personal finances this year compared to last.  

Fidelity found workplace retirement plan participants are becoming increasingly more engaged in their plans.

While men and women participants are turning to asset allocation funds in similar amounts, women are showing a discernable preference for target-date offerings.