Oldest Boomers See Decreased Assets at Retirement

According to the “Cogent Research 2011 Investor Brandscape” report, as of October 2010, 1st Wave Boomers have an average of $708,000 in investable assets, including money from retirement savings, compared to the $809,000 this same group reported in October 2006. While less affluent overall, 2nd Wave Boomers, ages 45-54, appear to be in better shape. Only 5% are currently retired, and as a group, average investable assets among 2nd Wave Boomers has grown by 10% since 2006.   

Cogent Principal John Meunier says increased movement to lower risk investments among 1st Wave Boomers last year likely worsened their finances. “We saw a significant increase among older Boomers last year in allocations to lower risk investments just as the market was rebounding. Unfortunately, this only served to dampen their ability to regain losses sustained in the downturn,” he said in a press release. 

In contrast, 2nd Wave Boomers improved their situation last year not only by greater equity exposure, but also through renewed interest and greater participation in employer-sponsored retirement plans. Cogent found employer-sponsored retirement plan ownership among investors ages 45-54 increased from 79% in 2009 to 84% in 2010, and as a proportion of their total investable assets, money in retirement plans increased from 45% to 50% in the same timeframe.